First Ever Global Glaucoma Day to Raise Awareness About the Silent Disease
OAK BROOK, Illinois, February 29, 2008? The first
annual Global Glaucoma Day is to take place on Thursday, March 6, 2008.
The day will serve to raise awareness around the world about the
prevalence of glaucoma, often referenced as a silent eye disease. An
estimated 4.5 million people throughout the world are blind due to
glaucoma; however, an astounding 50 percent of these people in
developed nations are not aware that they have the disease. Even more
startling is that 90 percent of people with glaucoma in underdeveloped
nations are not aware that they are living with the disease.
Lions
Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Lions have been long-time
supporters of glaucoma awareness and education. The Lions Eye Health
Program (LEHP) addresses the prevalence of glaucoma in communities
throughout developed nations. LEHP is a community-based education
program that allows Lions clubs, other community organizations and
individuals to promote healthy vision and raise awareness through the
early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma.
LCIF forged a
partnership with Allergan, Inc., a leader in eye care, to develop the
All Eyes on the Family Program. The program addresses the pervasiveness
of glaucoma within the United States through enhanced dialogue between
those diagnosed with or at risk for glaucoma and their family members,
caregivers and eye care professionals. All Eyes on the Family serves to
increase awareness about the importance of the early detection of
glaucoma.
Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness
in the world, is an eye disease that causes progressive damage to the
optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye to deliver information
to the brain. Glaucoma is a series of eye diseases that occur over a
long period of time. When left untreated, which is very common among
those who suffer from the disease, blindness is often the end result.
Once acquired, glaucoma is typically irreversible. People who are more
than 45 years of age, have a family history of glaucoma, have
abnormally high pressure in the eyes, are of African descent, have
diabetes, are nearsighted (have myopia), or have a history of regular,
long-term steroid or cortisone use are more likely to incur the
disease. The need to raise awareness about glaucoma is greater now
than ever. By the year 2020, it is predicted that over 11 million
people in the world could suffer from the disease. The World Glaucoma
Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA)
have joined together to establish one day where the world?s attention
focuses on the serious need for greater education, services and support
of the crippling eye disease.
Through Lions advocacy,
awareness about glaucoma continues to be at the center of attention
throughout the globe, further continuing the fight for a healthier and
happier tomorrow. Participate in the first ever Global Glaucoma Day and
become one of the many Lions that contribute their support to the fight
against Glaucoma.
