Glaucoma Awareness Week 2026

That this House recognises Glaucoma Awareness Week 2026 as an important opportunity to raise public awareness of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness; notes with concern that glaucoma is rising in prevalence as the population ages; further notes that as many as half of all people with glaucoma remain undiagnosed, reflecting its reputation as the silent thief of sight due to its lack of early symptoms; highlights the vital role of routine eye tests in monitoring for and detecting the disease before irreversible sight loss occurs; expresses concern at the patchy coverage of community-based glaucoma services across England, which places additional strain on secondary care, complicates patient pathways, and increases the risk that conditions go undetected; calls on the Government to address the postcode lottery in community glaucoma care and to set out what steps are being taken to improve community-based glaucoma services nationally; and urges the promotion of Glaucoma Awareness Week activities to encourage regular eye examinations and help prevent avoidable blindness.