World Glaucoma Week in March 2020 marked the start of COVID cases, lockdowns and changes to the lives of all Australians, which in turn altered the way eye care was delivered in Australia.

World Glaucoma Week in March 2021 marked the continuing impact of COVID, and a continued detrimental effect on glaucoma monitoring.

Now World Glaucoma Week in 2022 is marking a continuation of the tumultuous impact on eye health screening. Fortunately, we have all become adept at being flexible and working efficiently around lockdowns and new COVID variants to deliver the best possible glaucoma monitoring and care.

Glaucoma Australia’s fundamental aims of advocacy, education and research for glaucoma patients, professionals and the broader community, remain particularly relevant in this ever-changing world.

Not only do they support our strategic priorities – which are reviewed regularly to ensure we are responsive, relevant and adapting to changing situations – they most importantly assist us in providing the best support to glaucoma patients throughout Australia.

This year, Glaucoma Australia is building on the successes that we achieved last year in relation to:

World Leading Progress On Glaucoma Detection Rates

World Leading Progress On Glaucoma Detection Rates

We have successfully measured:

• an ongoing reduction in the age of patients at diagnosis, and

• an increase in the number of relatives of a diagnosed patient who have been told about glaucoma. The article in this issue, covering genetics and glaucoma, is particularly relevant to the glaucoma detection rates and education for family members.

Supporting Collaborative Care

We are providing increased support, communication and education to glaucoma patients, by:

• introducing combined collaborative panels of health care professionals, ophthalmologists, optometrists and pharmacists to deliver well balanced, expert commentary that relates to relevant glaucoma issues, and

• continuously reviewing contributions from a range of health care professionals. I’m sure you will find the article on page 59, covering the role of diet, lifestyle and physical activity, very interesting.

Expanding Horizons With Technology And Research

Glaucoma Australia’s digital transformation over the last three years, and the growth of the research program has enabled:

• improved communication with glaucoma patients and families,

• the launch of new initiatives. The articles covering laser treatment, glaucoma imaging and progress with glaucoma detection remind us of the new technological advances and how valuable they are, and

• continued funding of glaucoma research. You will find an update on current research being funded by Glaucoma Australia on page 36.

I hope you enjoy World Glaucoma Week and reading the inspiring articles.

Maree O’Brien President, Glaucoma Australia