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More than 80 percent of caregivers do not rank glaucoma high on their list of health concerns, according to a recent national survey of glaucoma patients and those who care for someone with glaucoma.¹ A family history of glaucoma increases a person’s risk for developing the disease. Additionally, the survey revealed people with glaucoma
are most often cared for by one of
their children.¹

A partnership between Lions Clubs International Foundation, recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired, and Allergan, Inc., a global leader in eye care, led to the development of the All Eyes on the Family program. All Eyes on the Family has been designed to enhance dialogue between those diagnosed with or at risk for glaucoma, their care givers and family members, and eye care professionals, on the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive management of glaucoma, in order to help preserve sight. The program includes a series of glaucoma check-up and screening events hosted by Lions clubs and Lions affiliated organizations across the country. In addition, the program offers downloadable resources for people with glaucoma and their family members to use in conversations with each other and with their eye care professionals.  

Glaucoma is often referred to as the silent thief of sight because in most forms the early stages of the disease have no symptoms, allowing it to cause vision loss without warning. It is estimated that only half of the three million Americans with glaucoma have been diagnosed.² If glaucoma is left undetected, it can lead to blindness.
 
Routine visits to an eye care professional is the best way to detect glaucoma in its early stages. This will help ensure sight preservation through aggressive treatment to reduce elevated intraocular pressure, or fluid pressure inside of the eye, which is the only treatable risk factor for glaucoma. While anyone can develop glaucoma, some people are at a higher risk, including:

• People with a family history of glaucoma
• People with high intraocular pressure (IOP)
• Everyone over the age 60
• African-Americans of all ages
• Hispanics, especially in older age groups
• People with diabetes
• People who have used steroids for a long period of time
• People with physical eye injuries

Additional Resources
LEHP Glaucoma Brochure – “What You Should Know About Glaucoma” provides basic information on the disease that is the leading cause of preventable blindness.

Discussion Guide for Glaucoma Patient - Do you have glaucoma? This guide contains valuable information and questions that you should be asking your doctor and family members.

Discussion Guide for Family Members - Does a loved one have glaucoma? Use this guide to learn more about the disease, questions to ask your loved one about how they are managing the disease, and questions you can ask your own doctor about glaucoma.

Patient and Caregiver Survey Fact Sheet - A national survey was recently conducted among people with glaucoma and those who care for a loved one with glaucoma. The purpose was to find out more about the attitudes and beliefs of both groups when it comes to managing the disease and the effects that it has on lifestyle.

Questions and Answers - What are treatment options for glaucoma? What is an IOP? Where are the Lions screening events being held? Great questions, find your answers here.

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¹ TSC. "Facing Glaucoma: Contrasting Attitudes of Patients and Caregivers." February 2007. (Pages 8, 26 & 28).
² Glaucoma Research Foundation. "Glaucoma Facts and Stats." http://www.glaucoma.org/learn/glaucoma_facts.html. Accessed April 19, 2007.