National Eye Health Week: International Glaucoma Association Announces New Nottingham Research Project
The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) announces a new Nottingham based research project during National Eye Health Week* (21-27 September) in a bid to improve treatments and quality of life for glaucoma patients.
Quality of life assessment in glaucoma patients undergoing glaucoma surgery
The IGA and the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS) is funding research by Professor Anthony King of Nottingham University Hospital to profile the quality of life of glaucoma patients at different stages of treatment. The study will look at whether patients’ personalities affect the outcome of their glaucoma treatment and will allow comparisons between alternative glaucoma approaches. This will enable clinicians to include accurate information in discussions about surgical options available and in patient information about proposed treatments.
Professor King explains: ‘Quality of Life is a measure of the patient’s health and this is affected by the medical conditions from which they suffer and the treatments they experience. In glaucoma many patients require glaucoma surgery, and, in addition to undergoing an operation, this also results in frequent hospital visits and often a very intensive eye drop regime. Understanding the way glaucoma interventions impact on a patient’s quality of life and the different impacts of the various available interventions would be helpful in counselling patients prior to surgery and informing their expectations.’
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Commenting on the new University of Nottingham research project, CEO of the IGA Russell Young says, ’We are delighted to be announcing this new research project during National Eye Health Week, which will potentially help improve the quality of life of patients’ undergoing glaucoma treatment. Professor King is extremely well respected in ophthalmology and we are delighted to be working with him on this glaucoma research project.’
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Note to editors:
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is damaged where it leaves the eye. This nerve carries information about what is being seen from the eye to the brain and as it becomes damaged vision is lost.
*National Eye Health Week
National Eye Health Week is an annual event where eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK join together to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.
For further information or to interview an IGA spokesperson, please contact:
Annabel Hillary, 07884 430862, annabel@prwhenyouneedit.co.uk
or Mary-Jane Greenhalgh, 07866 722051, maryjane@prwhenyouneedit.co.uk
or Karen Brewer on: DD: 01233 64 81 69; M: 07976 08 52 40; k.brewer@iga.org.uk,
For more information about glaucoma, visit: www.glaucoma-association.com
About the International Glaucoma Association:
1. The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) is the charity for people with glaucoma, with the mission to raise awareness of glaucoma, promote research related to early diagnosis and treatment, and to provide support to patients and all those who care for them. For more information, please visit:
www.glaucoma-association.com
2. Set up in 1974, it is the oldest patient based glaucoma association in the world and it is a Charity Registered in Scotland, England & Wales.
3. As part of its support services, it operates the IGA Sightline (helpline) and provides free information on any aspect of glaucoma.
4. For more information about glaucoma, contact the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) Sightline ( Helpline ) on 01233 64 81 78 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am–5.00pm).
