Glaucoma Awareness Week: The patient perspective

Glaucoma Awareness Week 2025: 30 June – 6 July

Rachel Parkinson

Rachel Parkinson, a mother and professional, shares her personal story to encourage people of all ages to prioritise their eye health - as Glaucoma Awareness Week serves as a reminder of the importance of regular eye tests.

Rachel, 45, has always been diligent with her eye tests due to her short-sightedness and astigmatism. In 2020, during a routine check at Specsavers in Preston, she opted for an OCT scan.

Rachel recalls: ‘The optometrist examined my eyes and the images from the scan and advised that I needed a referral for an ophthalmology assessment.’

Diagnosis and treatment 

Unfortunately, the referral coincided with the lockdown, delaying Rachel’s assessment at the glaucoma clinic by a year. Tests confirmed that Rachel has ‘normal tension glaucoma’.  

‘I did not notice any symptoms, but test results showed I had lost vision in my left eye as the glaucoma was already advanced,’ she says. 

Rachel received great care from her hospital eye department as she needed surgical laser treatment in both eyes.  

Now she attends the glaucoma clinic twice a year for checks, continues to visit her local Specsavers for regular eye tests and receives support and information from the charity Glaucoma UK.  

The importance of regular eye tests  

‘Without regular sight tests my glaucoma would not have been picked up. My sight had deteriorated without symptoms. I would strongly encourage everyone, whatever age you are, to get your eyes tested,’ says Rachel. 

Tackling the silent thief of sight 

Paul Morris, Director of Professional Advancement at Specsavers, says: ‘In Rachel’s case a common sign of glaucoma – significantly raised pressures – was missing.  

‘The OCT eye scan provided an early indication that layers of nerves in the retina were thinning in the nerve layer which caused the optometrist to make the referral alongside the other aspects of the examination. 

‘Glaucoma is more common than people think. In the last 12 months Specsavers has referred more than 100,000 people for follow-up glaucoma care and 30,000 were under 60 years old.  

‘It is a condition that can be managed far more effectively if caught early – you wouldn’t know you had glaucoma or were at risk of it in most cases – that is why it is called the silent thief of sight.’ 

Glaucoma Awareness Week 

Joanne Creighton, Chief Executive of Glaucoma UK, underscores the importance of the annual campaign. 

‘Around 50% of glaucoma cases are undiagnosed. Glaucoma Awareness Week marks our annual campaign to raise awareness of the disease and to highlight the support available for those living with glaucoma. 

‘This year our focus is “Know Your Risk”. We are launching an online interactive quiz to help people assess their glaucoma risk and emphasise the importance of regular eye tests.  

‘And it’s important for people to know that glaucoma care doesn’t end at the door of the clinic. We’re here to support people when and how they need us.’