Prevent Blindness Offers Free Glaucoma Resources for Patients, Care Partners, and Professionals

In recognition of National Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the non-profit organization Prevent Blindness is providing a wide range of free educational resources tailored for glaucoma patients, their care partners, and healthcare professionals.

Comprehensive Resources

Prevent Blindness offers:

       • Downloadable Fact Sheets: Available in English and Spanish.

       • Glaucoma Financial Assistance Resources: A compiled list for those seeking help.

       • Social Media Graphics: Shareable materials to raise awareness.

       • Eye Drop Guidance: Resources on effective use of glaucoma eye drops, including a fact sheet, demonstration video, and a dedicated webpage.

Expert Insights in the Focus on Eye Health Series

As part of the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Expert Series, several episodes address glaucoma topics:

       • “Glaucoma and Public Health” by Dr. Karen Allison, Chief of Glaucoma at the Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, and Prevent Blindness Board Member.

       • “Understanding Glaucoma” and “Information and Resources for Glaucoma Patients” featuring Dr. Constance Okeke, glaucoma specialist at Virginia Eye Consultants.

       • “Focus on Eye Health Patient Story: Glaucoma” with Tasha R. Lockridge, Associate Director of Eye Health Services at Prevent Blindness, sharing her personal journey with glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

Glaucoma Prevalence in the U.S.

A recent study, “Prevalence of Glaucoma Among US Adults in 2022,” revealed that approximately 4.22 million Americans have glaucoma, with 1.49 million experiencing vision-affecting conditions. Prevalence varied significantly across demographic groups, states, and counties.

To disseminate these findings, Prevent Blindness has launched:

       • Social Media Graphics: Available in English and Spanish.

       • Dedicated Webpage

       • Video Series: Featuring episodes like:

               - “Why is it important to know how many people have glaucoma?” with Shervonne Poleon, PhD.

               - “What can help people at risk for glaucoma?” with Mitzi Swift, Clinical Research Coordinator at UAB.

Additional videos in the series will debut throughout January.

The Glaucoma Community Program

Prevent Blindness, in collaboration with Responsum Health, offers The Glaucoma Community, a free multilingual platform that provides:

       • Educational Content: Tailored to glaucoma management and care.

       • Personalized Newsfeed: Updated with relevant information.

       • Community Chat: A moderated discussion forum for members.

Conclusion

Through its diverse initiatives, Prevent Blindness aims to empower patients, caregivers, and professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to address glaucoma effectively, improving outcomes and fostering a supportive community.