January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and there are a number of resources available to help eye care providers educate and empower their patients.
According to Prevent Blindness, glaucoma currently affects about 3 million people ages 40 and older, and that number if expected to grow by more than 90 percent to 5.5 million by 2050 due to a very large aging population in the U.S.
Prevent Blindness offers a great deal of information on glaucoma on its website, including types, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. The organization also offers information on Medicare benefits and financial assistance for those with glaucoma.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) offers information on glaucoma for patients through its EyeSmart® website, including an informational video that explains how glaucoma impacts how the eye works. AAO also offers eye exams with no out-of-pocket cost to patients 65 or older who qualify — including those at increased risk for glaucoma — through its EyeCare America® program.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) also offers lots of information for patients on what glaucoma is, its causes, diagnosis and treatment, as well as a quick Glaucoma FAQ page.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation asks patients and practitioners to help raise awareness about glaucoma by talking about it with family and friends, and getting involved in the community through fundraisers, information sessions, speaker opportunities and more. The Foundation also has a free educational booklet patients can request be sent to them or a loved one.
And the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) from the Nation Eye Institute (NEI) has a new and improved "Keep Your Vision in the Future: Glaucoma Toolkit" available for professionals. The toolkit includes an animation, speaker's guide and handouts. The NEHEP also offers a fact sheet for community and health professionals, and a variety of other glaucoma-related resources from infographics to videos.