NNUH greetings cards for World Glaucoma Day

The Norwich Glaucoma Research Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) launch their own greetings cards to mark World Glaucoma Day on Thursday 12th March 2009.

The Norwich Glaucoma Research Unit have developed a series of cards some of which feature photographs taken by staff from the NNUH to help raise funds, increase awareness and support research into Glaucoma. The unit based at the NNUH has been carrying out research for the past 10 years, has a designated laboratory at the University of East Anglia and carries out clinical based research projects at the NNUH to gain a better understanding of this condition.

Consultant ophthalmologist Mr David Broadway said “Any support for our research would be appreciated. Although many patients with glaucoma are free of symptoms, many others fail to achieve visual standards required for driving and a minority suffer with significant visual loss or blindness. Only research can help identify new and better ways to treat our patients and prevent irreversible loss of sight”.

The series of cards are available from the following outlets: Adkins Opticians (Diss), Dipple & Conway Opticians and SpecSavers (Norwich), Fakenham Optometrists (Fakenham), Spire Hospital (Norwich) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

All funds raised will go to the Norwich Glaucoma Research Fund. Alternatively if you would like to make a direct donation to this fund please send a cheque payable to “The Norwich Glaucoma Research Fund (144) and send this to: Glaucoma Research Unit, Level 2, West Block, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.

Glaucoma – The Facts

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain.

If left untreated, most types of glaucoma progress (without warning or obvious symptoms to the patient) to cause loss of visual field, that may lead to eventual blindness. Once incurred, glaucomatous visual damage is irreversible, and this has led to glaucoma being described as the “silent blinding disease” or the “sneak thief of sight”.

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. It is estimated that 4.5 million persons globally are blind due to glaucoma and that this number will rise to 11.2 million by 2020. It is noteworthy that due to the silent progression of the disease – at least in its early stages – up to 50% of affected persons in the developed countries are not even aware that they have glaucoma – this number can be as high as 90% in underdeveloped parts of the world.

World Glaucoma Day, is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA). http://www.wgday.net/