In remembrance of Dame Maggie Smith, Patron of Glaucoma UK

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Maggie Smith, a beloved icon of stage and screen, and patron of Glaucoma UK.

Dame Maggie became patron of our charity in 2012, when we were known as the International Glaucoma Association (IGA). Her patronage marked a significant moment in our charity’s history. At the time, our then Chief Executive, David Wright, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m enormously grateful to Dame Maggie for agreeing to be our patron. Glaucoma is so important and so often overlooked, and the value that someone of her standing can bring to the IGA is incalculable.”

Throughout her time with us, Dame Maggie was an advocate for our cause. Only recently, she helped us mark our 50th anniversary, expressing her gratitude to our supporters with a special message: “To all those of you who have supported Glaucoma UK, you have helped the charity to touch lives and fund research. I send you our heartfelt thanks.”

Reflecting on her loss, our Chief Executive, Joanne Creighton, shared, “It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of our patron, Dame Maggie Smith. We are indebted to Dame Maggie for her patronage of our work to raise awareness of glaucoma and support those living with the disease. We are also grateful for the great joy she brought to audiences old and young through her extraordinary performances on stage and screen. The thoughts of us all at Glaucoma UK are with Dame Maggie’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Dame Maggie’s legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched, both through her brilliant artistic contributions and her dedication to important causes like ours. She will be deeply missed.