A message from Glaucoma UK's Chief Executive, Joanne Creighton

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK]

With ‘Old Year’s Night’ fast approaching (as my mother insists on calling it…), this seems a good time to reflect on the many highlights of the last 12 months here at Glaucoma UK. To my mind, the greatest highlight of all has been the enormous warmth and generosity you have shown in supporting our charity. Everything we do is made possible by your help and kindness, whether that be making a donation, running a marathon, playing our lottery, naming us in your will, attending one of our events, giving us feedback, interacting with others on this forum… it’s a very long and humbling list. We just hope you know how very grateful we are.

Although some aspects of life are now back to normal after the COVID-19 disruption of the last few years, we know that many of you are still living with the realities of treatment delays and difficulty accessing glaucoma services. We hope our helpline continues to be a source of help and reassurance, along with our digital glaucoma support groups and face-to-face sessions. It has been wonderful to see the continuing growth of the HealthUnlocked online forum too – a brilliant space for sharing experiences with others who are living with glaucoma.

Our work to fund glaucoma research has been another highlight of the year, with new projects currently underway in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Through a range of exciting studies, our funded researchers will be moving us ever closer to our vision of an end to preventable sight loss from glaucoma.

You will, of course, have your own reflections on the highlights of 2022. Despite the sadness we all feel at world and economic events, I hope the past year has been kind to you and yours. I also hope that New Year’s Eve (as I prefer to call it!) heralds a 2023 full of peace, health and happiness for you all.

Joanne Creighton

Chief Executive

[Iona57]

Hi Rachel, I was diagnosed with glaucoma this year, and had cataract and Hydrus stent surgery in early December. In the middle of all the worry, questioning and not infrequent panic it has been been hugely helpful and reassuring to discover Glaucoma UK. I've spoken to Helen and Trish on the helpline , attended an online support group, watched many you tube recordings, and learned from the experience of all the lovely people on this forum. Thank you so much to everyone, and Happy New Year!

[muddledme]

Hello Rachel and thank you for your good wishes.

I feel like Iona57 and really appreciate all the well planned, excellent services from Glaucoma UK.

These days with so many virtual clinics I rarely see an opthalmologist, so the opportunity to ask questions on the helpline, forum and webinars is even more vital. I find it is so reassuring to know up to date news arrives in the on line newsletter and the regular very informative Insight magazine.

Glaucoma UK staff have been such a help so many times over the years.For me, finding out about research and the complex nature of this disease is an on-going process and like most things becomes more interesting the more I understand and the less time I worry.

I am amazed that when I do meet other glaucoma patients they often have never heard of this charity....so I try and make sure they do !

Thank you all so much.