Glaucoma New Zealand (GNZ) is kicking off 2022 with a flurry of activities, including the launch of new digital channels, a website and a public awareness campaign focusing on eye health education and research.

“We have had a slight shift in focus as life with Covid saw postponement and cancellations of support-group meetings, patient symposiums and community events,” said GNZ general manager Pippa Martin. “Using digital tools will help GNZ reach a greater audience and help achieve its objectives of raising awareness of the disease, providing support for people with glaucoma and educating eyecare professionals.”

To extend its reach, GNZ will be using digital platforms such as webinars and interactive online sessions featuring eyecare professionals, said Martin. “At the heart of our digital services is the new website, offering easy navigation and a user-friendly experience benefitting both patients and eye health providers. It includes streamlined forms making it easier to donate, volunteer, register for events or sign up for the online education programme; access to videos, webinars and the latest research information; a simple online referral form making it easy for health professionals to refer a patient to GNZ; and much more.”

World Glaucoma Week

GNZ will run its annual public awareness campaign, ‘Eye Believe’, in conjunction with World Glaucoma Week 2022 (6-12 March) to educate New Zealanders about the risks of glaucoma and raise funds for glaucoma education and research. Welcoming industry support, Martin said the campaign will run for the month of March. “We invite all eye health professionals to join us and support the campaign by ordering and displaying Eye Believe campaign materials and sharing our messages on digital platforms. Ask patients, family and friends to complete the sentence Eye Believe…* and donate to the appeal online.”

For those in the Canterbury region, GNZ is also hosting a ‘Love your Eyes’ symposium from 9am to 11.30am on Saturday 6 March at Addington Raceway.

For more visit, www.glaucoma.org.nz.