New CNIB Survey Finds Many Canadians Less Than Well-Informed About Family History Of Glaucoma

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
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According to a new CNIB survey released this week for World Glaucoma Week (March 7-13), few Canadians are as informed as they need to be about their family history of glaucoma, a serious and incurable eye condition that affects 250,000 Canadians.

Despite the fact that glaucoma tends to run in families, the survey found that almost half of Canadians (47 per cent) do not feel well-informed about their family history of the disease. In fact, only one-third of Canadians (33 per cent) have spoken to their immediate families to learn whether glaucoma could be a hereditary concern.

But astonishingly, among the group that reported having had that conversation, almost half (47 per cent) learned that glaucoma was in the family, indicating they could be at an elevated risk.

"People forget that learning about your family history of glaucoma is an important step to protecting your eyesight. Family history, particularly having a parent or sibling with the disease, is considered one of the primary risk factors of glaucoma," said Dr. Keith Gordon, Vice-President of Research and Service Quality, CNIB.

The survey also revealed that most Canadians (71 per cent) are unaware that you could have glaucoma, but still be able to see perfectly well.

Eye Remember

To educate Canadians about the importance of detecting glaucoma early, CNIB has launched its third annual awareness campaign and photo contest called "Eye Remember." From March 8 to May 18, Canadians can visit www.eyeremember.ca to get the facts on glaucoma and upload a photograph that represents a cherished memory from their past - whether it's a summer with family at the cottage, a shot from your honeymoon, or an old black and white picture from grandma's albums - along with a brief description of why it is close to their heart and reminds them to be proactive about their vision health.

All uploaded photos will be entered for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to one of four popular Canadian destinations, including Banff (Alberta), Quebec City (Quebec), Niagara Falls (Ontario) and the Okanagan Valley (British Columbia).

Glaucoma: The "silent thief"

Caused by damage to the optic nerve, glaucoma usually progresses slowly and painlessly; therefore it's possible to have glaucoma without noticing any symptoms or major changes to your eyesight. In fact, 125,000 Canadians are living with glaucoma today and don't know it.

"Because glaucoma has no symptoms, it can only be picked up by regular eye examinations with an eye doctor," said Dr. Neeru Gupta, Professor, Dorothy Pitts Chair of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, and Director of the Glaucoma Unit at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto. "If someone in your family has glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk for the disease. Get your eye pressure and optic nerves checked for glaucoma. Early treatment is a powerful way to prevent vision loss."

In addition to family history, risk factors for glaucoma include having elevated eye pressure, being over the age of 40, being of African, Asian or Inuit descent and having myopia.

Over time, glaucoma may cause loss of peripheral (side) vision, followed by "tunnel" vision or complete vision loss. There is no cure for glaucoma and, once you begin to lose your vision, it can't be restored. Fortunately, vision loss from glaucoma can be controlled if detected early.

About the survey

This survey was conducted as part of CNIB's Eye Remember campaign in order to determine how much Canadians know about glaucoma and its risk factors. A random sample of 1,003 Canadians aged 18 and older answered an online survey. Survey results from a sample of Canadians of this size can be considered accurate to +/- 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The survey was undertaken by CNIB, with data collection by Ipsos Public Affairs. Eye Remember is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.

Source:
CNIB

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New CNIB Survey Finds Many Canadians Less Than Well-Informed About Family History Of Glaucoma

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
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According to a new CNIB survey released this week for World Glaucoma Week (March 7-13), few Canadians are as informed as they need to be about their family history of glaucoma, a serious and incurable eye condition that affects 250,000 Canadians.

Despite the fact that glaucoma tends to run in families, the survey found that almost half of Canadians (47 per cent) do not feel well-informed about their family history of the disease. In fact, only one-third of Canadians (33 per cent) have spoken to their immediate families to learn whether glaucoma could be a hereditary concern.

But astonishingly, among the group that reported having had that conversation, almost half (47 per cent) learned that glaucoma was in the family, indicating they could be at an elevated risk.

"People forget that learning about your family history of glaucoma is an important step to protecting your eyesight. Family history, particularly having a parent or sibling with the disease, is considered one of the primary risk factors of glaucoma," said Dr. Keith Gordon, Vice-President of Research and Service Quality, CNIB.

The survey also revealed that most Canadians (71 per cent) are unaware that you could have glaucoma, but still be able to see perfectly well.

Eye Remember

To educate Canadians about the importance of detecting glaucoma early, CNIB has launched its third annual awareness campaign and photo contest called "Eye Remember." From March 8 to May 18, Canadians can visit www.eyeremember.ca to get the facts on glaucoma and upload a photograph that represents a cherished memory from their past - whether it's a summer with family at the cottage, a shot from your honeymoon, or an old black and white picture from grandma's albums - along with a brief description of why it is close to their heart and reminds them to be proactive about their vision health.

All uploaded photos will be entered for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to one of four popular Canadian destinations, including Banff (Alberta), Quebec City (Quebec), Niagara Falls (Ontario) and the Okanagan Valley (British Columbia).

Glaucoma: The "silent thief"

Caused by damage to the optic nerve, glaucoma usually progresses slowly and painlessly; therefore it's possible to have glaucoma without noticing any symptoms or major changes to your eyesight. In fact, 125,000 Canadians are living with glaucoma today and don't know it.

"Because glaucoma has no symptoms, it can only be picked up by regular eye examinations with an eye doctor," said Dr. Neeru Gupta, Professor, Dorothy Pitts Chair of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, and Director of the Glaucoma Unit at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto. "If someone in your family has glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk for the disease. Get your eye pressure and optic nerves checked for glaucoma. Early treatment is a powerful way to prevent vision loss."

In addition to family history, risk factors for glaucoma include having elevated eye pressure, being over the age of 40, being of African, Asian or Inuit descent and having myopia.

Over time, glaucoma may cause loss of peripheral (side) vision, followed by "tunnel" vision or complete vision loss. There is no cure for glaucoma and, once you begin to lose your vision, it can't be restored. Fortunately, vision loss from glaucoma can be controlled if detected early.

About the survey

This survey was conducted as part of CNIB's Eye Remember campaign in order to determine how much Canadians know about glaucoma and its risk factors. A random sample of 1,003 Canadians aged 18 and older answered an online survey. Survey results from a sample of Canadians of this size can be considered accurate to +/- 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The survey was undertaken by CNIB, with data collection by Ipsos Public Affairs. Eye Remember is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.

Source:
CNIB

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

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Obamacare And HIV, What's Being Done About The Epidemic?

Editor's Choice
Main Category: HIV / AIDS
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At the end of 2006, an estimated 1,106,400 persons within the United States were living with HIV infection, with 21% undiagnosed. This number increases by approximately 60,000 per year, with approximately one new case every 10 minutes. The U.S. medical system is ill-prepared to cope with the number of Americans now infected with HIV, however steps are being taken under President Obama's new Healthcare policies.

More than 200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States do not know they are infected. Increased HIV testing may help identify these individuals, reducing the chance that they will spread HIV to others and improving their health outcomes. But many may not receive the care they need because the health care system may not have the capacity to care for them.

Paul Cleary, dean of the Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Conn., said in a news release from the National Academy of Sciences:

"There will be numerous challenges as the nation begins implementing the [Obama administration's] new National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Many practical suggestions from the research literature and experts about how to address and overcome the obstacles to a more effective and efficient HIV/AIDS strategy are available."

Specifically, too few health care providers are adequately trained and experienced in providing the care these patients need, the report authors indicate.

The Office of National AIDS Policy's (ONAP) website states:

"Our vision for a national strategy is a concise plan for moving the country forward is predicated on building on what we are currently doing, and will identify a small number of high payoff action steps that need to be taken to achieve each of the President's goals. We envision the strategy being a document that provides a roadmap for policymakers and the general public. We anticipate that the strategy will clearly describe the areas that require the most immediate change, the specific action steps that must be taken by the Federal Government and a variety of stakeholders, and specific targets for measuring our progress toward achieving the President's goals."

This strategy aims to bring about a drop in the rate of HIV infection while at the same boosting access to care among those already infected.

Given the widening gap between HIV-care supply and demand, the independent report emphasizes the need for health-care provider flexibility, in order to overcome the constraints under which many providers labor. Collaboration across facilities should be encouraged, in order to better allocate and share sparse resources among multiple providers. However, at times such task-sharing may run afoul of state regulations, which can limit the ability of providers to share caseload responsibilities.

Currently there is a lack of a clear federal policy regarding HIV testing, statewide differences regarding how testing is implemented, obstacles to the provision of rapid HIV testing and discrimination against HIV-positive individuals.

ONAP began engaging the community on the NHAS development in the summer of 2009. Since that time they have also engaged in broad public outreach, traveling the country listening to Americans recount their experiences with HIV and their strategic recommendations for achieving the President's goals. More than 4,200 people attended 14 HIV/AIDS community discussions.

The Office also sought other opportunities to engage with the community and a variety of stakeholders. This included meeting with representatives of the American Indian/Alaska Native communities, people living with HIV in rural communities in the South and northeast, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, African immigrants, business and philanthropic leaders, and others. ONAP staff also participated in additional community discussions and expert meetings organized by outside parties all working toward the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Sources: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies and The Office of National AIDS Policy

Written by Sy Kraft, B.A.
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

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