Glaucoma Awareness Month, January 2026

Did you know glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness and it often has no early warning signs?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are around three times more likely to experience vision impairment or blindness than other Australians. Conditions like glaucoma, which can quietly damage vision over time, play a significant role in this disparity.

For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have faced poorer health

outcomes. When eye disease goes undetected, everyday activities such as driving, learning, working and caring for family can become difficult or impossible.

Despite this, more than one in three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have never had an eye examination. Without regular eye checks, conditions like glaucoma can progress unnoticed, leading to permanent vision loss.

Early detection saves sight. A simple eye exam can make all the difference.

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