Glaucoma family link highlighted

Glaucoma Awareness Week on June 28 to July 4 would focus on the hereditary nature of glaucoma and the importance of loved ones in the lives of patients who have the disease.

Campaign organisers Glaucoma UK highlighted that 700,000 people in the UK lived with glaucoma and close blood relatives were four times more likely to develop the disease.

Karen Osborn, chief executive at Glaucoma UK, said: ‘This year we’re raising awareness of the family link with glaucoma. If you’ve got the disease, your close relatives are at higher risk of developing glaucoma and encouraging them to have regular eye tests could save their sight.’