World Glaucoma Day

World Glaucoma Day website

NAEVR is pleased to participate in and promote several of the United States-based events associated with the first-ever World Glaucoma Day on March 6, 2008, which is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the incidence and economic burden associated with the disease. Since it serves as the “Friends of the National Eye Institute (NEI)”, NAEVR is emphasizing the vital role of NEI-funded research into this group of diseases that damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable vision loss in the U.S., with individuals over the age of 60 and minority populations, especially African Americans and Hispanics, having a disproportionately higher risk and incidence.

NAEVR has worked closely with the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) and the offices of Cong. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Cong. Pete Sessions (R-TX) in developing House Resolution 981, which recognizes March 6 as World Glaucoma Day. On that day, the AGS members will advocate for increased Fiscal Year 2009 NEI funding in more than 100 Congressional offices using NAEVR’s position paper. Just a week later, NEI and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specifically its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), will explore new outcomes measures that may facilitate glaucoma therapy clinical trials in a meeting organized by NAEVR and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Please access the links below to learn more about the events and statements recognizing this historic day.

Press Releases

March 6, 2008
Statement of Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., Director, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, on World Glaucoma Day

March 4, 2008
NAEVR Posts World Glaucoma Day Web Page, Announces Plans to Educate/Advocate on Capitol Hill on March 6 About Glaucoma Incidence and Need for Increased NEI Research Funding

February 20, 2008
NAEVR Supports Major Events in March 2008 to Expand Glaucoma Awareness and Educate About the Impact of NEI-Funded Research into the Disease

Events

American Glaucoma Society Screening and Advocacy Day

NEI and FDA Collaborate to Address Clinical Trial Issues for Glaucoma Drug and Device Diagnostics and Therapies

Using Real-time OCT, AEVR Educates Capitol Hill on Visual Imaging Technologies Revolutionizing the Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease

Resolutions and Proclamations

H.Res. 981, Congressional Resolution Recognizing World Glaucoma Day

Proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Recognizing World Glaucoma Day

Proclamation from Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle Recognizing World Glaucoma Week

Fact Sheets

NEI Glaucoma Fact sheet

American Glaucoma Society Web site