Although it represents a leading cause of irreversible blindness, awareness among the public about the dangers of glaucoma is lacking. Those in the optical profession are acquainted with the irreversible sight loss glaucoma can cause and no doubt encourage patients to come in for regular check-ups.
The incidence of glaucoma is increasing worldwide however, and more needs to be done to stem the tide. At the age of 40 one in 200 people has glaucoma, with the figure rising to one in eight by the age of 80. A growing, ageing global population currently contains an estimated 78 million people suffering from the disease, and by 2040 this is expected to increase to over 112 million. In one US survey commissioned by Allergan, approximately 40% of people considered glaucoma to be either somewhat or not very serious. This shows a lack of awareness regarding the disease’s severity.
World Glaucoma Week is an annual awareness initiative run by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) in conjunction with the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC). For a decade now, the week has highlighted the dangers of glaucoma and the need for regular eye tests. This is not awareness for the sake of awareness; World Glaucoma Week’s focus on promoting preventative check-ups is vital and provides an avenue for optical practices to be centrally involved. This year’s event will run March 8-14, with practitioners and organisations from around the world partaking.
As a global campaign, the week relies on involvement from local contributors, as co-chair of WGPC, Ivan Goldberg, explained: ‘To be effective, community awareness projects need to be relevant. That means they need to be based locally and thus rely on individuals in each place to be involved actively, adopting the unifying global message into local culture.’
‘People can contribute by organising imaginative, publicity attracting awareness projects locally, such as pamphlets and posters, screening stations and talks; all have their value.’
An additional focus of this year’s campaign is on the relatives of current glaucoma patients, who represent 10% of positive diagnoses for the disease. WGA president Fabian Lerner added: ‘The overarching goal of this campaign is for everyone to know about the disease called glaucoma and encourage the general public to get tested. By promoting regular testing, we also want glaucoma patients to get their relatives involved.’
How to help
Practices are well positioned within their communities to enact the sort of relevant, local campaigns that Goldberg has called for. These campaigns also serve a double purpose; while raising awareness of the dangers of glaucoma the public will be exposed to your practice’s brand. On the Wold Glaucoma Week website (www.worldgalucomaweek.org), a number of methods that can be used to reach out to your community are highlighted.
Local press is an excellent way to motivate people in your area while also promoting your own business and its healthcare offerings. During last year’s campaign, for example, Specsavers in Walworth contacted the Southwark News website with information. Subsequently, an article was published detailing the practices’ efforts to raise awareness.
Practices could also benefit both themselves and patients by running free or reduced-price glaucoma screening days. Days like this will attract new patients to a practice while also highlighting a commitment to public health. With marketing support such as shopfront displays, social media posting or articles in the local press, a screening focused day could be an excellent tool for raising awareness and providing a solution in the same stroke. Public lectures about the dangers of glaucoma or simply handing out leaflets to at-risk patients are also viable strategies.
Regardless of how you decide to support World Glaucoma Week this year, the message must be clear: Regular eye examinations are the best way to prevent irreversible sight loss from glaucoma, and a local optometrist is best-placed to provide these.