We highlighted Frances’ story to spread awareness
Frances had no idea anything was wrong until she went to a routine eye test with her optician. They found ‘borderline pressure’ in her left eye and referred her to hospital, where she was diagnosed with open angle glaucoma.
“It all sounded so scary at first,” Frances says. “But I’ve since learned how lucky I was to be diagnosed early and to have access to Glaucoma UK’s support. The team have helped me to understand my diagnosis, prepare for treatment and find my own way to live well with glaucoma every day.”
Family and loved ones were the focus in 2021
It was a year like no other in 2021 and many people were unable to be with their family and loved ones. So, with the timing of Glaucoma Awareness Week falling just as the restrictions were 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 raised 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, we encouraged people with glaucoma to tell their relatives as they need to have their sight tested regularly.
Secondly, we started 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.
What we got up to for Glaucoma Awareness Week 2020
For Glaucoma Awareness Week 2020, our mission was for more people in the UK than ever before to know just how important it is to look after your eye health. We also wanted to let everyone know that if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with glaucoma, Glaucoma UK is here for you.
We asked our members and supporters to help us reach more people during Glaucoma Awareness Week.
We also launched our new brand identity and new website, designed to make it easier for you to find information and contains new resources to help you live well with glaucoma, as well as launching our redesigned range of helpful resources for people living with glaucoma, which can be ordered FREE through our website here.
2020 colouring competition
As part of our Glaucoma Awareness Week 2020 activities, we asked our younger supporters (aged 4 – 11), to colour in our logo design for a chance to have their artwork displayed on our social media and featured in our membership magazine.
The winner, chosen by Glaucoma UK’s graphic designer, was 8 year old Will.
You can read all about it, and see some of the other brilliant entries, in the Summer 2020 edition of our magazine.
