If you’ve ever felt anxious before an eye appointment or wondered if your fears are “too much”, you’re not alone. At Glaucoma NZ’s July 2025 Professional Education Symposium, Auckland ophthalmologist Dr Sonya Bennett invited eye health professionals to look beyond eye pressure and treatment plans to something just as vital: emotional health.
Dr Sonya Bennet (back row, third from the right) spoke on “Glaucoma and Mental Health – considering the burden of chronic disease” at the Glaucoma NZ Professional Education Symposium (13 July 2025).
“Many of you may have experienced an episode of anxiety or depression in your lives,” she said. “…none of us are immune.”
Glaucoma is lifelong. While treatment can slow or prevent vision loss, living with that uncertainty, day after day, year after year, can quietly wear you down. As Dr Bennett put it, “We underestimate the psychological dimensions of this disease, because we’re so intent on concentrating on the medical side of things.”
And the research backs her up. People living with glaucoma are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than the general population. In some cases, those mental health challenges don’t just follow a diagnosis, they may even increase the risk of developing glaucoma or affect how it progresses.
Dr Bennett shared stories from her clinic: patients gripped by fear before each appointment, worried they’re losing more sight. “…they’re not in control of what’s happening, and that can be terrifying.”
One of the hardest parts of her job? Telling someone they can no longer drive. “I absolutely hate it when I have to tell patients they’re no longer eligible to continue driving,” she said. “It’s one of the most difficult things we have to do.”
Her message was clear: medical care matters, but emotional support should be part of the plan too.
At Glaucoma NZ, we believe the same. We invest in professional education so your care team sees the whole picture. Not only what’s happening in your eyes, but what’s happening in your life.
If your glaucoma journey is feeling heavy, there are services and people who can help:
- Talk to your GP or glaucoma clinic: Many practices now have Health Improvement Practitioners (HIPs) who are trained to support mental wellbeing and can help with practical next steps.
- Text or call 1737: A free 24/7 service to talk with a trained counsellor. www.1737.org.nz
- Anxiety NZ Helpline: 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389) or visit anxiety.org.nz/helpline
- Depression NZ: Freephone 0800 111 757 or text 4202. More info at depression.org.nz/get-help
And if you just want to chat about your glaucoma, our GNZ helpline is always here on 0800 452 826.
Because glaucoma doesn’t just affect eyesight. It affects lives. And you deserve support for all of it.