Sunrise presenter David ‘Kochie’ Koch has opened up about a “terrifying” health problem that almost cost him his sight.
The Channel Seven star revealed in a new interview that she was diagnosed with glaucoma three years ago during a routine eye exam.
Watch the video above to find out everything you need to know about Men’s Health Week
Watch Sunrise on Channel 7 and play it for free on 7plus >>
Glaucoma is a common eye problem that causes vision loss and, if left untreated, can lead to blindness, according to HealthDirect.
In general, the deterioration is very gradual and is rarely noticed by the more than 300,000 Australians who suffer from the disease until their eyesight is damaged.
This is why he is commonly known as the “silent thief of sight.”
“You may have noticed …”: Natalie Barr explains what happened to Kochie after she disappeared from Sunrise
“I’m not sure I’ll receive you again:” guest of the moment sledding Kochie LIVE at Sunrise
Kochie, who wears glasses, told The Sunday Telegraph that he had no idea he had glaucoma until he went for a regular exam.
“It was a real revelation and a little scary to think that if this optometrist hadn’t picked it up, it would have gotten worse and worse,” he said.
“We read a lot in Sunrise, a little out of autocue and hadn’t noticed any difference over the years.
“If it hadn’t been treated for a year or two, it would have been very difficult to stabilize and would have passed the turning point.”
If you want to see this content, adjust your cookie settings.
For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookie Guide.
Kochie said he was now sharing his story during Men’s Health Week to encourage people to get more frequent eye and general well-being checks.
It is estimated that one third of Australian boys turn a blind eye to health problems.
“I have eight grandchildren and now my little daughter is getting married in three weeks … there is a lot to see in my life and it reminds you of how we take eye health for granted,” said the man from 66 years.
“It’s not just an ‘I’m getting old and I’m losing the strength of my vision’ and then I put it as normal.
“It may not be normal and you may have this insidious glaucoma.
“If it’s out of control, imagine what you won’t see in the future: it’s a simple test, you just have to go to any optometrist and it’s a simple thing.”
Sunrise presenter David Koch has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with glaucoma. Credit: Sunrise
According to HealthDirect, glaucoma refers to a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain.
“The optic nerve carries signals from the back of the eye to the brain and allows you to see,” the site explains.
“Nerve damage often has something to do with eye fluid.
“Sometimes the pressure of the fluid inside the eye increases and the fluid presses hard on the optic nerve, damaging it.
“But glaucoma can also occur even when the pressure of the fluid in the eye is normal.”
Although it can be controlled with eye drops and laser surgery, glaucoma cannot be prevented.
Glaucoma risk factors
According to Glaucoma Australia, people who meet the following conditions have a higher risk of developing glaucoma:
- have a family history of glaucoma
- they have high eye pressure
- they are over 50 years old
- they are of African or Asian descent
- have diabetes
- they are short-sighted or long
- have been on a prolonged course of cortisone (steroids).
- experience migraines
- have had eye surgery or eye injury
- have a history or high or low blood pressure
- experiences obstructive sleep apnea