Forth Valley Sensory Centre is celebrating Glaucoma Awareness Week 2021! Today (28th June 2021) marks the launch of Glaucoma Awareness Week, the UK’s national week which will run until 4 July to raise awareness of glaucoma.
The theme for this year is family and loved ones, who Forth Valley Sensory Centre support through our advice and groups, helping people with sight loss, including those with Glaucoma, and their families deal with the challenges.
Glaucoma is the name of a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve transfers visual information from the eye to the brain and if it’s damaged, it can result in sight loss and even blindness.
It is estimated that over 700,000 people in the UK have glaucoma, and half of them are unaware they have it. Between 2015 and 2035, the number of people living with glaucoma in the UK is expected to increase by 44%. It’s been a year like no other and many people have been unable to be with their family and loved ones.
So, with Glaucoma Awareness Week 2021 happening just as restrictions are being lifted in the UK, people across the country are celebrating coming together while also sharing important information that could help save sight.
Jacquie winning, Chief Executive, Forth Valley Sensory Centre said:
“In Scotland, eye tests are funded by the NHS and regular testing is vital to spotting problems early when help might still be available. If you have not had your eyes tested in the last two years or have any issues with your vision like blurring or gaps in your sight, contact your optician today.
“It is also important that people managing an eye condition engage with services like ours at an early stage. We can build confidence, provide peer support on how to cope with specific challenges and even help develop new skills. For those in or seeking work we even have an employability project to provide advice on assistive technology.”
Karen Osborn, Chief Executive of the charity Glaucoma UK who are coordinating Glaucoma Awareness Week, said: “For Glaucoma Awareness Week this year, we’re starting a conversation about how we can support family members who are caring for someone with glaucoma. But importantly, we’re also raising awareness of the family link with the disease. If you’ve got glaucoma, your close relatives are at higher risk of developing the disease and encouraging them to have regular eye tests could save their sight.
“During the week, we hope to hear many people’s stories about their glaucoma journey and the important role their family and loved ones play in it.” For more information about this year’s Glaucoma Awareness Week, visit www.glaucoma.uk/glaucoma-awareness-week or join the conversation on social media using #GlaucomaAwarenessWeek”
Don’t forget Forth valley sensory Centre has a very active social media profile. Follow/like us on Twitter and Facebook @FVSensoryCentre for more on our groups and classes.
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