1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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%

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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%

9. Knowledge About Glaucoma

10. Knowledge About Glaucoma

11. Knowledge About Glaucoma

12. Knowledge About Glaucoma

13. What does this mean for education?

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

15. 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

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

17. 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.

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

19. HVM 2007 Website

20. Patient Education Materials

21. PowerPoint Presentation

22. Public Service Announcements

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

24. Questions?