IGA highlights family role

Coinciding with National Glaucoma Awareness Week (June 6-12), the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) has issued a fresh call for the promotion of regular eye checks for those with a family history of the condition.

‘Our research has shown that one in three people diagnosed with glaucoma did not know that the condition can be inherited,’ said IGA CEO Russell Young.

‘This is worrying given the increased risk that relatives have of developing the condition.’ The organisation also reports that only 49% of patients are aware of a link between glaucoma and family history.

The IGA estimated that there were 600,000 people with glaucoma in the UK, with half of these undiagnosed. Parents, children, brothers or sisters of a glaucoma sufferer are up to four times more likely to develop glaucoma, when compared to people without a family history of the condition.