© INTERNATIONAL GLAUCOMA ASSOCIATION (274681) 2009

Scottish Vision Strategy

John HughesIGA Development Manager - Scotland

Stirling Management Centre 26th March 2014

Charity Registered in England & Wales N°274681, in Scotland N°SC041550

Mission Statement

The International Glaucoma Association is the charity for people with glaucoma, with the mission to raise awareness of glaucoma, promote research related to early diagnosis and treatment and to provide support to patients and all those who care for them.

Charity Registered in England & Wales N°274681, in Scotland N°SC041550

Background

• Glaucoma affects 2.00% of the population

• 80,000 people live with glaucoma in Scotland

• 15% of all ophthalmology NHS new referrals

• 23% of all outpatients f/up appointments are glaucoma related

Patients on first referral

• 33% of glaucoma referrals are confirmed as having the disease

• 33% are glaucoma suspects

• 33 % are negative

• This shows that the false positive percentage of glaucoma referrals is as high as 66%

• These patients could be effectively managed in the community

Optic disc evidence of Glaucoma

The Treatment Decision

© INTERNATIONAL GLAUCOMA ASSOCIATION (274681) 2009

Treatment effect on ganglion cell loss

Time

GCsremaining

Optic disccupping

Blindness

Glaucomapatient

Untreated

Treated

Normal individual

Lifespan of patient

Integrated Visual Field

Awareness

• Glaucoma awareness very low among public• Knowledge & understanding of their condition

procedures and treatments is also low among patients themselves

• Patients are not able to fully engage both with their condition and it’s treatment

• In order for the benefits of treatment to be fully achieved, it is important that patients understand the issues and are fully involved in the decision making process in order to successfully manage their condition through a lifetime of care

COMPLIANCE/CONCORDANCE

PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO FOLLOW TREATMENT REGIMES THAT THEY

UNDERSTAND AND THAT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN WITH AN APPRECIATION OF THEIR

INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE ASSOCIATION OF THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY (ABPI 2004)

G. Reardon et al American Journal Ophth; 2004; 137: S3 – S12.

....... 65% of patients stop taking their eye drops within 12 months and one major reason is the difficulty in instilling the drops.

“Patient persistency with topical ocular hypotensive therapy in a managed care population.”

IGA Eye drop concordance Kit :

Awareness

Knowledge

Understanding

Confidence

Independence

Creating a Virtuous Cycle

IGA publish and distribute in print and via their website a wide range of booklets and leaflets aimed at patients, carers and professionals. All information is regularly updated, approved by specialists and free on request

Charity Registered in England & Wales N°274681, in Scotland N°SC041550

• Help stimulate and organise patient support groups and organise meetings for patients where members can hear from experts in glaucoma and share their experiences

Charity Registered in England & Wales N°274681, in Scotland N°SC041550

Glaucoma Patient Passport

• Glaucoma awareness is Very Low. • Prevalence >2% in population Numerous Risk Factors • Once Glaucoma is Detected Treatment is Usually very

effective at slowing down rate of sight Loss• Surgey, Laser, medication 75% treatment consists of

Drops• Patient education essential for optimum effect.• Driving and Glaucoma major issue• IGA Support (Sightline, Literature, Website & PSG’s)• New SIGN Guideline Coming. Draft on SIGN website

Summary