Campaigns
World Glaucoma Day 2008
Summary: A global initiative to raise awareness of glaucoma.
- Glaucoma in the global spotlight
- Facts about glaucoma
- Campaign support
- Get an eye test
- Further information
Glaucoma in the global spotlight
Thursday 6 March 2008 is the first ever World Glaucoma Day (WGD).
This is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) to put the spotlight on glaucoma. In the UK, it involves organisations such as RNIB and the recently formed Glaucoma Alliance UK. This alliance of charities, glaucoma specialists, professional organisations and researchers are raising awareness of glaucoma, what it does to sight and how it might affect you.
Facts about glaucoma
- Glaucoma affects up to half a million people in the UK.
- Around a quarter of a million people don’t know they have the condition.
- It is the second largest cause of unnecessary sight loss in the UK.
- Glaucoma doesn’t have any symptoms in its early stages.
- People can lose up to 40 per cent of their sight before they realise they have a problem.
- Regular sight tests are crucial to detect early signs of the disease.
- Without a regular eye test you may not find out until it is too late for treatment.
- If detected early the prospects of avoiding sight loss through treatment are excellent.
So are you one of the quarter of a million people in the UK with undiagnosed glaucoma? If you have not had a recent sight test, go and find out.
Campaign support
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE is supporting our campaign, he says
“Don’t delay, make 6 March, World Glaucoma Day, the day that you find out if you are one in half a million. Get an eye test”
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE has written to all regional and local papers about this campaign. Read the full text of Sir Trevor's letter.
Get an eye test
Many people are entitled to receive free eye tests.
Find out more about getting an eye test.
Further information
Our campaigns 'Tunnel vision' and ‘Don’t’ blame the patient’ make recommendations to improve the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in the UK.
The full campaign reports are also available from our online shop or from Customer Services on cservices@rnib.org.uk or 0845 702 3153 / 01733 37 53 50.
- Glaucoma - further information
- Read about our Glaucoma Awareness Campaign launched in the House of Commons in 2005 followed by a tour of 13 UK cities.
Tell us your story
We would like to hear from you if you have glaucoma. We are looking for people to feature as case studies to help others understand more about the condition. Contact us at campaign@rnib.org.uk to find out more.
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Content author: campaign@rnib.org.uk
Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:38
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