Glaucoma Awareness Week 2021 theme revealed

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK]

Glaucoma Awareness Week 2021 takes place on 28 June – 4 July 2021 and this year’s theme is family and loved ones.

What is Glaucoma Awareness Week and why does it matter?

Glaucoma Awareness Week is an annual awareness-raising opportunity where we encourage people across the UK to talk about glaucoma. Over 700,000 people in the UK have glaucoma. Half of them don’t know they have it. We want to end preventable glaucoma sight loss and that starts with raising awareness of the disease.

Family and loved ones: what’s the story behind this year’s theme?

It’s been a year like no other and many people have been unable to be with their family and loved ones. So, with the timing of Glaucoma Awareness Week 2021 falling just as the restrictions are being lifted across the UK, we wanted to celebrate the opportunity to come together while also sharing important information that could help save sight.

Firstly, we’re raising awareness of the family link with the disease. Did you know that someone has at least a four-times higher risk of developing glaucoma if they have a close blood relative who has it? So, if you have glaucoma, you should tell your relatives as they need to have their sight tested regularly.

Secondly, we’re starting a conversation about how we can support family members who are caring for someone with glaucoma. When someone you care about is diagnosed with glaucoma, our support services, and information resources can help you understand the disease better.

Find out more on our website: glaucoma.uk/glaucoma-awaren...

[Jennymary]

Hi Rachel, family history is something I know about, as I'm 4th generation in my family, my brother and sister haven't inherited it though

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Jennymary]

Hi Jennymary , thanks so much for your message and for sharing your experience with us.

That's really interesting. We're going to be publishing a new blog during the week which helps explain why some people in families might get glaucoma while others don't. We're always looking for people who'd like to share their story on our digital channels, if this would be something you're interested in doing please send us a message at [e-mail]

There's lots of information about other ways you can get involved on our website here too: glaucoma.uk/glaucoma-awaren...

[Stairs10]

Hi

It's definitely in my family. Both my mother and my uncle have high IOP and attend glaucoma clinic and use drops. Unsure if developed into glaucoma. Is there a grading from being at risk to having developed it ?

I've been diagnosed with glaucoma after many years of high IOP. Seems likely that a steroid I was given to deal with inflammation for another condition was what pushed me from high IOP to full glaucoma.

Is there any action that we as patients can do to slow it down ?

Thanks