83-year-old glaucoma sufferer, Tony Bourke, says Australians need to open their eyes when it comes to the debilitating eye disease.
At 41, Mr Bourke (pictured) realised his eyesight was deteriorating and, despite being aware of his family history of glaucoma, he says he was in disbelief when he left his specialist appointment with a positive diagnosis.
He has been living with glaucoma since 1980 and has had several surgeries including laser, cataract and an emergency trabeculectomy to save his right eye.
“Although some of my liberties have been taken away, such as driving, I feel grateful that I still have some vision left and can see,” he said.
“You’ve only got to open your eyes and see that a lot of people are worse off than yourself and you need to get on with life.”
Mr Bourke is sharing his story in support of Glaucoma Australia new fundraising initiative, 7 Sights in 7 Days Challenge, which is encouraging Australians to share a photo of an amazing sight every day for seven days to raise funds to help end glaucoma blindness this World Glaucoma Week, which runs from 6–12 March.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The disease affects 300,000 Australians, with 50% unaware that they have the disease because they haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam. There is no cure for glaucoma and vision loss is irreversible, making early detection and treatment key to saving sight.
Glaucoma Australia CEO Annie Gibbins says, “Anyone can develop glaucoma and the risk increases with age. About 1 in 10,000 babies are born with glaucoma; by age 40 about 1 in 200 have glaucoma, rising to 1 in 8 at age 80. The inaugural 7 Sights in 7 Days Challenge is amplifying that sight-saving message by asking the community to get creative and fundraise so that we can take glaucoma out of the picture.”
Judging the entries for the 7 Sights in 7 Days Challenge will be photographer Liz Hemmings, The Forensic Nutritionist Fiona Tuck, Managing Director of Mivision magazine Todd Tai and CEO Glaucoma Australia, Annie Gibbins.
To find out how to register for the 7 Sights in 7 Days Challenge or to sponsor someone who is snapping, visit: sevensights.org.au
