New research released to mark World Glaucoma Week reveals Australia's greatest fear is going blind. Blindness ranked higher than heights, spiders and lightning strikes combined (68%). The research also revealed Australians value their sense of sight (87%) higher than any other, followed by hearing, taste, touch and lastly smell.

Yet most fail to ask for a glaucoma check. Glaucoma is the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness. Almost a third (29%) of Australians don't actually know what glaucoma is and furthermore, 51% of Australians did not realise that being diagnosed early (40+ years old) could prevent blindness from glaucoma.

Glaucoma Australia supports people living with glaucoma through an educational website, twice yearly newsletter, telephone support and education and awareness meetings nationwide. Australians should visit Glaucoma.org.au or call 1800 500 880 to find out more.