March 8-14

World Glaucoma Week

A week-long awareness observance in March raising awareness about glaucoma and encouraging regular eye checks to prevent avoidable vision loss.

Yearly Date

Second Full Week in March

Observed

Internationally

Introduction

March ushers in a very significant global health event - World Glaucoma Week, held on March 3rd. Launched in 2007 by the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association, it seeks to brighten the future of vision health by shedding light on “the silent thief of sight”. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve, causing irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed in time. This week serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement for millions affected by this sneaky disease. Join us as we rally around this cause, raising awareness and collectively preserving the gift of sight for people across the globe!

World Glaucoma Week Timeline

1800s

Early Glaucoma Discoveries

Throughout the 19th century, significant advances in the understanding of glaucoma took place, with doctors recognizing it as a distinct eye condition related to intraocular pressure.

1857

Glaucoma and Intraocular Pressure

Aldous Von Graefe coins the term "glaucoma," associating the disease more definitively with increased intraocular pressure.

1938

Developing Glaucoma Treatment

Pilopine gel, the first drug specifically developed for glaucoma to lower intraocular pressure, was introduced to the market.

1968

Glaucoma Research Foundation

The Glaucoma Research Foundation was founded, a major breakthrough for advancing studies into the causes, diagnosis, and management of glaucoma.

2007

World Glaucoma Day Launch

The World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association launched the first World Glaucoma Day to create awareness of the disease.

2010

Expansion to Glaucoma Week

Owing to the scale and importance of the mission, World Glaucoma Day was expanded into World Glaucoma Week, comprising a series of events and activities worldwide.

How to Celebrate World Glaucoma Week

1 Participate in a local Glaucoma Walk

Join a glaucoma walk or run in your community. Not only will you be contributing to the cause physically, but these events often raise funds for research and development in the field of glaucoma. Plus, it is also a great way to spread awareness.

2 Attend an informational lecture or webinar

Take advantage of this week to educate yourself and others about the disease. Many medical institutions or charities offer free lectures or webinars during this time. Attending one can provide expert knowledge about glaucoma risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

3 Get an eye exam

Early detection is key in managing glaucoma, so why not celebrate World Glaucoma Week by booking an appointment with an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam? Encourage friends, colleagues and loved ones to do the same.

4 Donate to glaucoma research

Financial support is pivotal to finding new and more effective treatments. Donating to a reputable organization that funds glaucoma research is an extremely valuable way to take part in the fight against this ‘silent thief of sight’.

5 Spread awareness on social media

Post about World Glaucoma Week on your social media platforms. Share facts, statistics or personal stories (if you have permission) about glaucoma. Don't forget to use relevant hashtags such as #WorldGlaucomaWeek or #WGW2022 to reach a larger audience.

Why World Glaucoma Week is Important

It raises awareness about the silent thief of sight

World Glaucoma Week highlights the importance of early detection, regular eye checks, and treatment of glaucoma. By raising awareness, it helps educate people about this potentially sight-stealing disease, providing information on how to prevent its onset.

It promotes education through health institutions and charities

During this week, many institutions and charities provide valuable education on glaucoma. These include specialist webinars, lectures, and other resources that provide expert knowledge on preventing, detecting, and treating glaucoma.

It encourages solidarity and action to fight against Glaucoma

World Glaucoma Week is not just about raising awareness, but also about taking action. People are encouraged to get their eyes checked, participate in walks or runs dedicated to the cause, donate to research foundations or simply share information on social media. In doing so, we can collectively make a significant difference in combating this disease.