Why your referrals matter in saving sight
Preventing blindness from glaucoma doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes referral pathways that work. And clinicians who feel connected. It also takes patients who feel supported long after they leave the clinic.
Glaucoma NZ (GNZ) is working with health professionals to build those referral pathways. This is through education, collaboration, and the one-on-one SiGHTWiSE support programme. If you’re at risk for glaucoma or have been diagnosed, a smooth referral path links you to the right support early. This greatly increases your chances of keeping your sight.
And you know better than most: this isn’t the work of one person. Every referral to GNZ, every conversation, and every shared resource helps safeguard someone’s vision. Whether you refer patients, participate in events, or link people to trusted glaucoma information, thank you. You’re shaping a future where preventable glaucoma blindness becomes a thing of the past.
Informed health professionals drive referrals
A recent NZ Optics feature showcased a pilot program. It’s between Specsavers and a New Zealand eye-health charity. Its goal was simple: improve support for people with vision loss and increase timely referrals. The result? A “significant increase” in referral numbers and stronger awareness of what support pathways exist.
As Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers ANZ’s Clinical Services Director, noted:
“When optometrists are equipped with the right knowledge about patient support bodies… they can make a profound difference in their patients’ lives. The pilot was all about recognising that our role doesn’t end after the patient leaves the testing room – we can be the bridge to life-changing support.”
This is the difference that informed clinicians can make.
Collaboration that adds value
GNZ leverages partnerships to bridge clinical care with community support. A seamless referral pathway helps patients feel more confident. These patients stay engaged with their treatment. And they’re less likely to discover too late that glaucoma-related vision loss is irreversible.
GNZ is part of the Extension of Care Collective. It’s a cross-sector group made up of Australasian patient support organisations and Specsavers. Its purpose: strengthen the connection between diagnosis, referrals, and long-term patient support.
For GNZ, the Collective helped deepen the relationship with Glaucoma Australia. This shaped the structure of SiGHTWiSE*, a personalised, one-on-one support programme. While SiGHTWiSE improves patient outcomes, it gives health professionals greater confidence in referring. Referring through SiGHTWiSE becomes an easy decision when added value is this clear.
Connecting with health professionals more
GNZ is also expanding engagement with health professionals across the country. Many clinicians volunteer to speak at professional symposiums, patient symposiums and community events. Now they can also volunteer as Clinical Educators within the SiGHTWiSE programme.
Others help by raising awareness or funds through community events. You can participate in Round the Bays Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland for example.
These touchpoints support patients directly, while deepening a professional’s understanding of GNZ. They gain knowledge of services, resources, and how they can make a positive impact. And as awareness grows, so too does the likelihood of timely, informed referrals.
GNZ will continue to scale this engagement at a pace that aligns with its mission and capacity.
What does this all mean?
Collaboration and connection lead to better outcomes for New Zealanders living with glaucoma. That includes those yet to be diagnosed. Working together means people understand their condition, access treatment, and protect their vision.
You play a crucial role in linking people to the support that safeguards their sight. This could be as an optometrist referring and re-referring patients to GNZ. It could also be by working at a clinic distributing educational resources, or a donor funding outreach that widens GNZ’s reach. You make a positive difference.
As an optometrists or GP, you can refer patients to GNZ at the same time you refer to eye specialists. As a specialist, you can refer following initial consultations. Donors and supporters can encourage people affected by glaucoma to join GNZ as members.
If you’re a policymaker, funder, or eye-health ally, we’d love to have you with us too. Become a GNZ member (it’s free!). Your support strengthens referral networks too. You build more informed communities, and create sight-saving outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you would like to volunteer with GNZ, please get in touch here. We can help you find the volunteer role that suits you best.
*SiGHTWiSE is continuously developed through collaborating with Glaucoma NZ members and Glaucoma Australia. Initial member contributions came through the following research: Kim E. GNZ’s lessons in drop adherence. Glaucoma New Zealand; 2024 Mar. Available from: https://glaucoma.org.nz/gnzs-lessons-in-drop-adherence/
References:
“Pilot boosts support for patients with vision loss,” NZ Optics. Accessed 10 October 2025.
“Collaboration beyond the clinic: Not-for-profits join forces for greater impact,” MiVision. Accessed 10 October 2025.