Faces of Glaucoma Campaign (January is Glaucoma Awareness Month)
January is national Glaucoma Awareness Month in the United States.
Bausch + Lomb Corporation, a leading global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to live better, and Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to curing glaucoma, have launched “Faces of Glaucoma,” a campaign that will highlight diverse patient stories and raise awareness of the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.1 The campaign will run through January, which is Glaucoma Awareness Month.
“This year’s campaign will showcase the resilience of individuals living with glaucoma and highlight that anyone, regardless of background, age or gender can be impacted by this potentially sight-threatening disease,” said Andrew Stewart, president, Global Pharmaceuticals and International Consumer, Bausch + Lomb.
Throughout the month of January, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources and patient stories to empower individuals to take care of their eye health. In addition, for the third consecutive year, the campaign will feature a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential glaucoma cure.
Because symptoms of glaucoma start slowly, patients do not typically notice them. While there’s currently no cure, early treatment, which may include the use of prescription eye drops, can often help prevent the progression of the disease. Glaucoma can only be diagnosed by an eye doctor as part of an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam.2
“By casting a spotlight on the various faces of glaucoma, we hope to create a deeper understanding of the broad range of individuals impacted while reminding people that paying attention to their vision by visiting an eye care provider annually can help preserve their vision for life,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president & CEO, Glaucoma Research Foundation.
To learn more about the fundraising challenge and patient stories, visit The Faces of Glaucoma.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a complex, progressive disease that occurs when excessive eye pressure or other causes lead to damage of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for the communication of information between the eye and brain. Damage to the optic nerve can lead to severe vision loss, and in the worst case, blindness. As one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, glaucoma affects about three million people in the United States, but if caught early, it is possible to help slow and potentially prevent vision loss.1,3
About Glaucoma Research Foundation
Founded in 1978, GRF is focused on its mission to cure glaucoma through innovative research, leading the industry as a nonprofit organization. Building teams of collaborating researchers and scientists over the years, all sharing the common goal of finding a cure – GRF is committed to raising awareness, spreading the word and encouraging others to achieve this shared goal.
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world – from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a significant global research and development, manufacturing and commercial footprint with approximately 13,000 employees and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with corporate offices in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html. Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2023.
- National Eye Institute. At a glance: Glaucoma. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma. Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2023.
- Johns Hopkins. Glaucoma. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma. Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2023.
Posted on January 4, 2024