Objective 28-6
Glaucoma
Reduce visual impairment due to glaucoma.
This objective was the focus of Healthy Vision Month 2007.
Glaucoma is a major public health problem in this country. The disease causes progressive optic nerve damage that, if left untreated, leads to vision loss. An estimated 3 million people in the United States have the disease; of these, as many as 120,000 are blind as a result. Furthermore, glaucoma is the number one cause of vision loss in African Americans. Treatments to slow the progression of the disease are available. However, at least half of the people who have glaucoma are not receiving treatment because they are unaware of their condition.
Data Source
Baseline: 13.5 per 1,000 persons aged 45 years and older had trouble seeing and
glaucoma in 2002 (age adjusted to the year 2000 standard population).
Target: 10.7 per 1,000 persons 45 years and over.
Target Setting Method: Better than the best.
Data source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Operational definition: This is a valuable tool that allows individuals to set measurable Healthy Vision objectives for their own communities.
|
People 45 years and over |
Rate per 1000 |
|
|
13.5 |
|
Race and ethnicity |
|
American Indian or Alaska Native only |
DSU |
|
Asian or Pacific Islander only |
DNA |
|
Asian only |
DSU |
|
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only |
DSU |
|
Black or African American only |
38.0 |
|
White only |
10.9 |
|
2 or more races |
DSU |
|
American Indian or Alaska Native; White |
DSU |
|
Black or African American; White |
DSU |
|
Hispanic or Latino |
13.5 |
|
Non Hispanic or Latino |
13.6 |
|
Black or African American only, not Hisp/Latino |
38.4 |
|
White only, not Hispanic or Latino |
10.8 |
|
Gender |
|
Female |
15.3 |
|
Male |
11.2 |
|
Education level (persons 25 years and over) |
|
Under 12 years |
21.4 |
|
12 years |
11.2 |
|
13 years and over |
11.8 |
|
Diabetes status |
|
Persons with diabetes (within the past year: 55.0%) |
29.1 |
|
Persons without diabetes (within the past year 37%) |
10.8 |
Legend:
DNA = Data have not been analyzed.
DNC = Data for specific population are not collected.
DSU = Data do not meet the criteria for statistical reliability, data quality, or confidentiality.
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Organizational Resources
If your organization has materials and/or programs to support this objective, contact Linda Huss lmh@nei.nih.gov.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
655 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-1336
Tel: (415) 561-8500
Fax: (415) 561-8533
http://www.aao.org
Contact: Georgia Alward, (415) 447-0258, eyemd@aao.org
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest international membership
association of Eye M.D.s. EyeM.D.s are ophthalmologists, medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy who provide
comprehensive eye care, including medical, surgical and optical care. More than 90 percent of practicing U.S. Eye M.D.s are Academy members, and the Academy
has more than 7,000 international members. Academy members are committed to responding compassionately to their patients' individual needs and to advancing
the highest standards of eye care.
Resources
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American Optometric Association
1505 Prince Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 739-9200
Toll Free: calling 1-800-365-2219 X 4284
http://www.aoa.org
Contact: John C. Whitener, OD, MPH, JCWhitener-OD@aoa.org
The American Optometric Association (AOA) seeks to advance the availability and accessibility of quality eye, vision, and related health care; to represent the profession of optometry; to enhance and promote the independent and ethical decision-making of its members; and to assist doctors of optometry in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care. The Association supports year-round programming to educate Americans about their vision and eye health and encourages people to take steps to preserve and protect their vision. AOA represents over 33,000 doctors of optometry trained in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease including the management of glaucoma.
Fact Sheets & Sample Materials
For those who qualify, the American Optometric Association Coordinates VISION USA, a program that provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers of all ages and their families. Additional information and an application are available at http://www.aoa.org. Look under Meet the AOA and click on the VISION USA icon. Or, applicants may write VISION USA for an application at 243 N. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63141.
The AOA provides patient referrals to local optometrists on its website: http://www.aoa.org. Click on DrLocator.
Services provided through VISION USA include a comprehensive eye examination; a diagnosis of eye health or vision problems; a prescription for eyeglasses when needed; and a referral to other health care professionals when appropriate. Exams are limited in some areas, and applicants will be reviewed on a first come, first-served basis. Eligibility requirements may vary by state.
Fact Sheets & Sample Materials
- Answers to Your Questions About Glaucoma
- What Black Americans Should Know About Eye Health
- Sample patient education brochures about are available at no cost by calling 1-888-396-EYES (3937) or see the AOA home page for more information at http://www.aoa.org.
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EyeCare America
655 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA 94109-1336
Tel: (415) 561-8500
Fax: (415) 561-8567
http://www.eyecareamerica.org
Contact: Betty Lucas, (451) 447-0381, blucas@aao.org
Founded in 1980, EyeCare America, the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education.
EyeCare America's public service program provides access to eye care for the medically underserved and for those at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities. More than 90 percent of the care made available through EyeCare America is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. Public service includes programs for seniors, glaucoma, diabetes and children, and is the largest program of its kind in American medicine.
Since its inception, EyeCare America's public service program has processed more than 644,000 calls, provided services to 347,000 people and treated more than 180,000 cases of eye disease.
EyeCare America offers multiple eye care programs for which individuals may qualify. Callers will be automatically screened to determine the program that provides the best appropriate eye care service. The Glaucoma EyeCare Program (GEP) promotes early detection and treatment of glaucoma. It raises awareness of glaucoma risk factors (family history, race, age), provides free glaucoma educational materials and facilitates access to eye care.
People eligible for a referral through the program receive a glaucoma eye exam. Patients with insurance will be billed and are responsible for any co-payments.
The Glaucoma EyeCare Program is designed for people who:
- Are US citizens or legal residents
- Have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more
- Are at increased risk for glaucoma (family history, race, age)
- Do not have eye care insurance through an HMO or the VA
Resources
- Glaucoma EyeCare Program referral call 1.800.272.EYES (3937) toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
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The Glaucoma Foundation
116 John Street, Suite 1605
New York, NY 10038
Tel: (212) 285-0080
Toll Free: 1-800-GLAUCOMA (Hotline)
http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/
The Glaucoma Foundation is the nation's foremost non-profit organization promoting awareness and supporting research about glaucoma. The Glaucoma Foundation's mission is to create a world without blindness. To achieve this mission we have a two-fold strategy. By funding research on glaucoma — specifically in the areas of optic nerve rescue and restoration and the molecular genetics of glaucoma — we strive to enhance our understanding of how to prevent and treat glaucoma. By offering many invaluable outreach and educational services we aim to raise awareness about prevention of the disease and assist those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. For example, our toll-free hotline (1-800-GLAUCOMA) is answered by representatives who are trained to provide factual answers to commonly asked questions about treatment options and patient concerns, referrals to optometrists and ophthalmologists for those that are in need of a local doctor or are considering a second opinion, as well as free literature designed to help the patient in understanding how to manage the disease. The Glaucoma Foundation also facilitates screening programs in the workplace and in medically underserved communities.
Our newest program, YUP (Young and Under Pressure) is an e-mail based support group for young patients who are seeking support from others sharing their age range and eye problems. Providing this forum to young patients, who often feel alienated by their condition, undeniably helps to preserve sight among this population. Members remind one another about the need for compliance, communication with their doctor(s) and how to manage the disease on a daily basis — this form of support is essential to preserving sight among young glaucoma patients. YUP_P (Young and Under Pressure for Parents) was created to give family members of young children with glaucoma their own forum for discussion. This support group provides relatives with an outlet to discuss surgeries, medical experiences, doctors and related concerns with family members of other young glaucoma patients.
Resources
- To receive literature, please call 1-800-GLAUCOMA (1-800-452-8266) or email The Foundation at info@glaucomafoundation.org.
The free package we provide to callers provides a sampling of all our literature designed to meet patient needs: Doctor, I Have a Question (20 page patient guide), Glaucoma: What you need to Know (concise, informative tri-fold), You and Your Glaucoma Medication: Taking it One Drop at a Time (a how-to guide tri-fold), Compliance Series (3 articles).
- Eye to Eye -- our quarterly newsletter, provides updates on medical news and research, treatment information and answers to commonly asked questions.
- About Glaucoma
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Glaucoma Research Foundation
251 Post Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: (415) 986-3162
Toll Free calling: 1-800-826-6693
http://www.glaucoma.org
Contact: Thomas M. Brunner
tbrunner@glaucoma.org
Founded in 1978, The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) is America's oldest and most experienced national institution dedicated solely to its mission: to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education, and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Free Educational Literature:
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Lighthouse International
111 East 59 Street
New York, NY 10022-1202
Tel: (212) 821-9200
Toll Free: 1-800-829-0500
http://www.lighthouse.org
Contact: info@lighthouse.org
Lighthouse International, a resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation, is dedicated to enabling people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Through its Information and Resource Service info@lighthouse.org, information about eye diseases as well as national and international vision rehabilitation services and resources for people with impaired vision of all ages is available.
Lighthouse International is conducting a national public awareness campaign entitled Vision Loss is Not a Normal Part of Aging--Open Your Eyes to the Facts! Free publications, promotional poster and bookmark feature the difference between normal changes in the aging eye and those changes caused by eye disease as well as the benefits of vision rehabilitation.
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Lions Clubs International
300 W 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
Tel: (630) 571-5466
Fax: (630) 571-1692
http://www.lionsclubs.org
Contact: Deborah O'Malley, domalley@lionsclubs.org
Lions Clubs International has over 14,000 clubs in the United States (44,000 clubs worldwide) which provide community service and promote better international relations. As each community's needs and resources are unique, Lions club programs may vary across the nation; however, the major health programs Lions have established are sight conservation and work with the blind, diabetes awareness, and hearing and speech action and work with the deaf. Lions promote Glaucoma Awareness Month (January). On an individual basis, Lions may provide assistance so that a needy person may obtain a comprehensive eye exam and/or necessary medicine or treatment to control glaucoma. Contact the international headquarters office for information regarding clubs within your area.
Resources:
- Blindness: Are You At Risk? (IAD 182)
- Glaucoma Screening (IAD 102)
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Lions Clubs International Foundation
300 West 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523-8842
(630) 571-5466, ext. 638
FAX: (630) 571-8890
E-mail: lcif@lionsclubs.org
Web site: http://www.lionsclubs.org
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has several programs that support eye health worldwide, including the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) and the Core 4 diabetes.
LEHP is a community-based health education program that allow Lions Clubs, other community organizations and individuals to promote healthy vision in the United States. LEHP promotes the early detection and timely treatment of diabetic eye disease and glaucoma and encourages the appropriate treatment for low vision. A CD-ROM includes information on these conditions as well as videos, public service announcements, Power Point presentations and detailed strategies for implementing eye health activities. LEHP is also active in Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, Turkey and Australia.
Resources:
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Maryland Society for Sight
1313 West Old Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21209
Tel: (410) 243-2020
Contact: Kathleen M. Curtin, mdsocietvforsight@erols.com
The Maryland Society's mission is to prevent blindness and preserve sight for Marylanders. The Society provides educational information to the public on glaucoma and counsels people at screenings on the importance of regular dilated eye examinations. The Maryland Society for Sight participates in Glaucoma Awareness Month held each January.
Resources
The Maryland Society for Sight distributes the following materials:
- Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma (Produced by National Eye Institute)
- Glaucoma. . . The Sneak Thief of Sight (Produced by Prevent Blindness America)
- Glaucoma and Blacks (Produced by Prevent Blindness America)
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National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
Tel: (212) 889-3141
Contact: Lorraine H. Marchi, Founder/CEO, staff@navh.org
NAVH is the only voluntary national health agency serving, solely the "hard of seeing" - not the totally blind. It offers glaucoma information in large print for laypersons, targeting those afflicted and at risk. It maintains a large print, free-by-mail, loan library of over 7,000 titles. In addition, it provides daily one-on-one visual aid counseling, individual and group emotional support, educational outreach to the public and to professionals in the low vision field, advocacy, and referrals. There are daily responses to mail, phone and Website inquiries. A vital senior outreach program, funded by the Reader's Digest Fund for the Blind, Inc., also provides daily opportunities to address the need for low vision members of senior centers and residents of senior facilities, to pursue early detection through dilated eye exams. NAVH participates in Glaucoma Awareness Month, held each January.
Resources (Most in large print)
- Glaucoma - The Sneak Thief of Sight (in English, Russian or Spanish)
- A Patient's Guide to Visual Aids and Illumination (in English, Russian or Spanish)
- Classification of Impaired Vision
- Eye-Q Test (in English, Russian, or Spanish)
- Heartbreak of Being "A Little Bit Blind"
- How to Develop a Self-Help Group for Elders Losing Eye sight
- It's All Right to be Angry
- Large Print Loan Library Catalog
- Problems of the Partially Seeing
- Sensitivity to People with Partial Eyesight (in English, Russian, or Spanish)
- Visual Aids and Informational Materials Catalog
- What Every Low Vision Patient Should Know... (in English, Russian or Spanish)
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National Eye Institute (NEI)
31 Center Drive MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
Tel: (301) 496-5248
http://www.nei.nih.gov
Contact: Rosemary Janiszewski, rjaniszewski@nei.nih.gov
The NEI, part of the National Institutes of Health, is the Federal government's principal agency for conducting and supporting vision research. The NEI coordinates public and professional awareness activities related to glaucoma through the National Eye Health Education Program. The aim of these activities is to encourage people at higher risk for glaucoma (Blacks over age 40 and everyone over age 60) to get dilated eye exams at least once every two years.
Resources
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National Optometric Association
P.O. Box F
East Chicago, IN 46312
Tel: 877-394-2020
Fax: 219-398-1077
http://www.natoptassoc.org
The National Optometric Association (NOA) is a professional association of predominantly minority optometrists with a primary objective of and concern for the delivery of professional eye and vision care to the minority community. Although NOA is primarily composed of minority optometrists from throughout the United States, membership is open to all optometrists who share the values, missions, and goals of the association. The more than 500 members of NOA are well-integrated into the fabric of the optometric profession and represent the profession as optometric ambassadors through their various professional and civic endeavors.
Resources
- In support of the Healthy People 2010 public health agenda for the Nation, the NOA "Three Silent Killers That Can Rob You Blind" program was developed and implemented as a targeted effort to promote good eye and general health among racial and ethnic minorities. The community-based public health program is designed to increase awareness and promote the prevention and control of glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and high blood pressure within minority communities, and particularly the African American community.
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Prevent Blindness America
211 West Wacker Dr.
Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: (312) 363-6001
Toll Free: 800-331-2020
www.preventblindness.org
Contact: Christine A. Bradley MS M.Ed cbradley@preventblindness.org
Prevent Blindness America provides a wide range of online and downloadable information on home and sports eye safety. www.preventblindness.org/safety offers extensive information about protecting children and adults from eye injuries in the home and while playing sports. Resources include sections on choosing safe toys for children, protecting children from hazards in the home and purchasing protective eyewear for sports activities. Web visitors can also request free safety brochures that can be mailed to their homes.
Resources
- Eye Health and Safety educational brochures are available at no cost by calling 1-800-331-2020 or visit PBA's home page for more information at http://www.preventblindness.org.
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Sight & Hearing Association
674 Transfer Road
St. Paul, MN 55114-1402
Tel: (651) 645-2546, ext. 12
http://www.sightandhearing.org
Contact: Julee Sylvester, jlps@sightandhearing.org
The Sight & Hearing Association (SHA) is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing vision and hearing loss through screening, education and research. SHA coordinates public awareness activities and screenings related to glaucoma. Partnering with the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology, SHA offers comprehensive glaucoma screenings during Glaucoma Awareness Month in January and other times throughout the year. The aim of these screenings is to encourage people at higher risk for glaucoma (blacks over age 40 and everyone over age 60) to get dilated eye exams at least once every two years.
Fact sheets
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