APHA 135th Meeting and Expo Washington, DC November 6, 2007 Providing Glaucoma Information Based on Findings from a National Telephone Survey Robert Alexander, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H., CHES Arlen Rosenthal, M.A. Shelly Heath-Watson, M.A. Neyal Ammary-Risch, M.P.H., CHES APHA 135th Meeting and Expo Washington, DC November 6, 2007

Purpose of Survey Measure the public’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices around eye health Give direction to messages and programs for target audiences Inform future National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) activities

Survey Methods National probability sample survey using computer- assisted telephone interviewing and random-digit dial technology Completed 3,180 interviews (122 self-reported glaucoma, 115 self-reported glaucoma suspect) 4% of interviews were completed in Spanish Data weighted to 2000 Census population

Self-Report Glaucoma Suspect Demographics All Adults Self-Report Glaucoma Self-Report Glaucoma Suspect Age, mean (range) 45 (18-99) 62 (23-92) 53 (19-90) Race/Ethnicity Asian 4% 6% 2% Hispanic 11% 7% 10% Black 19% White 73% 67% 78%

General Health 83% of adults considered themselves to be in good to excellent health 93% of adults reported visiting a health care provider (HCP) within the past two years More than seven in 10 adults reported loss of eyesight as the thing that would have the greatest impact on their day-to-day living

Eye Health 7% reported having glaucoma (3%) or are suspect for glaucoma (4%) 79% with glaucoma received follow-up care/treatment 54% who were suspect for glaucoma received follow-up care/treatment

Eye Examinations More than nine of every 10 adults reported ever having their eyes examined by an HCP 76% reported having a dilated eye exam 86% reported having their eyes examined by an eye care professional 74% reported having an eye exam in the past two years

Knowledge About Eye Disease--Glaucoma Self-Report Glaucoma Suspect All Adults Self-Report Glaucoma Self-Report Glaucoma Suspect Heard of Glaucoma 90% 98% 96% Of those who heard of glaucoma… Glaucoma can cause vision loss 92% 99% Glaucoma can be treated 86% Vision loss can be prevented 67% 70% There are no early warning symptoms 8% 55% 64%

Knowledge About Glaucoma

Knowledge About Glaucoma

Knowledge About Glaucoma

Knowledge About Glaucoma

What does this mean for education?

What is Healthy Vision Month (HVM)? A national eye health observance Sponsored each May Devoted to promoting the vision objectives in Healthy People 2010

Healthy Vision Month 2007 Keep Vision in Your Future was the theme for HVM 2007 Focus: To reduce visual impairment due to glaucoma Goal: Educate people at higher risk for glaucoma about the importance of early detection and treatment

Populations At Risk -- Glaucoma African Americans 40+ years Persons 60+ years People with a family history of glaucoma

HVM Messages Glaucoma has no warning signs and, if left untreated, can result in permanent vision loss. People at higher risk for glaucoma should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every one to two years.

HVM 2007 Materials Developed in English and some in Spanish Widely distributed

HVM 2007 Website

Patient Education Materials

PowerPoint Presentation

Public Service Announcements

For more information about NEI and NEHEP, visit: www.nei.nih.gov

Questions?