Adjusting to Life with Glaucoma

© 2014 Griswold International, LLC

The Griswold Solutions SeriesTM

Adjustingto Life withGlaucomaFrom Diagnosis toDaily Challenges


January isNationalGlaucomaAwarenessMonth

“January is National Glaucoma

Awareness Month, an important time to

spread the word about this sight-stealing

disease.”Glaucoma Research

Foundation


Our Goals for Today• Learn about the symptoms, types and impact of Glaucoma

• Understand how to recognize, diagnose and treat Glaucoma

• Learn how to adjust to the emotional, physical, social and role changes that often come with Glaucoma

• Access a Fighting Glaucoma Toolkit that offers innovative tools and resources for clients and their family/professional caregivers


Presented by:

Thomas M. Brunner, BSEE, MBAPresident and CEO, Glaucoma Research Foundation

Chris Kelly, MEd Director of Learning & DevelopmentGriswold Home Care

Art Takahara, person living with glaucomaPresident and Chief Executive OfficerDe Anza Manufacturing, Inc.


Thank you for your courage, energy, and dedication!

Professional CaregiversHealthcare Providers

Family Caregivers Person Living with Glaucoma


Brainwriting is…• a fun, engaging way to brainstorm• sharing as many ideas as possible within a short timeframe Brainwriting Process• Listen for our questions• When prompted, enter your solutions using the webinar chat function• Don’t overthink or agonize…There are no right or wrong answers Brainwriting Outcomes• Peer-to-peer learning and sharing• A publication that benefits others who are living with glaucoma Important• Avoid sharing any information that you would not want others to see

BRAIN WRITINGSolutions

Orange Arrow Button: Minimizes or expands the GoToWebinar control panel.

About Glaucoma“The Sight-Stealing Disease”


Learn About GlaucomaGlaucoma is a group of conditions that:

• Damage the eye’s optic nerve • Often has no symptoms until vision

loss is more severe• Can be effectively treated if

diagnosed/treated early• Affect people of all ages

(Risk increases after age 60)

Tools:

http://1.usa.gov/1euFtJf

What isGlaucoma

Overview ofGlaucoma

http://bit.ly/1acCKla


Tool: GlaucomaAnimation http://bit.ly/1lFUiy8

How Glaucoma Affects the Eye• A clear fluid flows in and out

of the anterior (front) chamber of the eye to provide nutrients to eye tissue

• Glaucoma can occur when fluid passes too slowly or is blocked (causing pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve)

Conjunctiva

Optic Nerve

Iris

Cornea

Ciliary body(where fluidis made)

Lens PressureAngle ortrabecularmeshwork(where fluidshould drain)


Tool: Are YouAt Risk? http://bit.ly/1lFUiy8

Glaucoma Risk Factors

Being over60 years old

Being ofAfrican, Asian orHispanic descent

Being verynearsighted

Having highblood pressure

Having afamily historyof glaucoma

Having conditions suchas heart disease, diabetesand hypothyroidism

Long-termsteroid use

Having a thincentral cornea


Types of Glaucoma

- Lou Gehrig


Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

• Most common form, often without symptoms until vision loss is severe

• Symptoms can include:

Gradual loss of peripheral(side to side and up/down) vision,

usually in both eyesTunnel vision (seeing a very

small area directly in front)


Angle-Closure Glaucoma• Symptoms can include:

Sudden, severe blurredvision and pain

Eye and head pain

Nausea or vomiting

The appearance ofrainbow-colored circlesaround bright lights

Sudden vision loss

Hazy vision

Often affects oneeye at a time


Tool: Types of Glaucomahttp://bit.ly/1ktSRVg

Other Types of Glaucoma

• Secondary Glaucoma

• Pigmentary Glaucoma

• Normal-tension Glaucoma

• Congenital Glaucoma

• Exfoliative Glaucoma

• Neovascular Glaucoma

• Uveitic Glaucoma

• Traumatic Glaucoma


DiagnosingGlaucoma


Tools: Five Common Tests for Glaucoma http://bit.ly/KKlpd5

Find an Ophthal-mologist http://bit.ly/1a7FaEJ

Diagnosing GlaucomaSince Glaucoma is often without symptoms, regular eye exams are important for those at risk. An accurate diagnosis should be made by an ophthalmologist and should include:

• History and physical exam• An assessment of the impact of glaucoma on daily life • Eye exam to assess the following:

- Pressure inside the eye (IOP)- Ability to see the complete

field of vision (or “perimetry”)- Thickness of the cornea

- The appearance of the retina andoptic nerve

- Angle in the eye where the iris meets the cornea (gonioscopy)


Treating Glaucoma


Treating GlaucomaEarly, effective treatment is critical! Glaucoma can be effectively treated through:

Medicine Laser surgery MircrosurgeryAdaptive

equipment

Support groups Staying active Eating healthyfoods

Non-medicalhome care

Low visionrehabilitation

Tools: AAO PracticeGuidelineshttp://bit.ly/L8VRH7http://bit.ly/1dtI9um


Your Eye Care Team

Ophthalmologist

Low VisionRehabilitationTherapist

Optometrist

Optician

MDs who diagnose and treat eye diseases along with…• Ophthalmic Medical assistant

Perform tests and help the MD to examine/treat patients• Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist

Assist the MD with complicated medical tests and minor office surgery

• Ophthalmic Registered NurseAssist MD with injections and hospital/office surgery

ODs who provide regular vision care including prescribing corrective glasses, contact lenses and glaucoma meds (in some states).

Design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses/frames/contact lenses and other devices to correct eyesight.

Helps clients/families to understand and adjust to the impact of vision loss on work , educational performance, ADL and iADL performance, use of technology, quality of life and aspects of psychosocial and cognitive function.


Living withGlaucoma

Fight Glaucoma Action Plan and Toolkit


“I’m one to try to look at things positively

in the world, so I tell myself I’m not going to let glaucoma

get in my way. And I will do things, use visual aids, whatever I need to do to continue to try to be as normal as possible. Regardless if you have

low vision, you can get around and do everything you were doing before.

Don’t think you have to slow down or do less.”

Quote from personwith Glaucoma


Living with GlaucomaGlaucoma can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life. Quality of life is most impacted when a person has problems with:

Reading andseeing in detail

Driving

Working

Cooking,cleaning and

self care

Fear of falling Isolation due tolack of mobility

Trippingover objects

Bumpinginto thingsDarkness or

glare frombright lights

Work, volunteerismand socialization

Emotions such asanxiety, depression,fear and uncertainty

Frequent steroid use

Tools:Quality of Life Prioritieshttp://bit.ly/1lYeZCP


Fight Glaucoma Action Plan

• Maintain regular eye exams/office visits

• Know and keep track of your medicine/s

• Keep your eyes clean and safe Wear protective eye gear when swimming or doing yardwork/contact sports

• Eat healthy foods

• Stay active

• Maintain healthy fluid/salt intake


Adjusting and Moving Forward

http://bit.ly/1m0fc8v

Support Groups

http://1.usa.gov/L5XlRI

National Eye Institute

http://bit.ly/1hUWIc7

Advocacy

Adaptive Equipment/Technology

http://bit.ly/1eMhFB2

http://bit.ly/1exdRVX

Books on Glaucoma


Key Takeaways

Glaucoma can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed andtreated early

Treatment, education, support, advocacy and adaptivetechnology can help people with Glaucoma to maintaintheir routine and quality of life

In most cases Glaucoma has nosymptoms, so regular eye examsare important


Open Q&A

1. Click to expand if necessary

2. Type questions here

!

!To prevent vision loss from

glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education,

and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

Glaucoma Research Foundation Mission:

Glaucoma Research Foundation 1

Glaucoma Research Foundation Facts

Founded 1978 by Drs. Shaffer, Hoskins, Hetherington in San Francisco

National Organization

Annual Budget $4 million

Net Assets $5 million

Staff of 7

Expense ratio: 85% Program, 15% Support

Charity Navigator, BBB, Guidestar listings


Our Founders:

Drs. John Hetherington, Robert N. Shaffer (1912-2007) and H. Dunbar Hoskins


Speeding the Cure through research

Individual Fellowships (40 Shaffer Fellows)

Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research (funding for pilot projects)

Catalyst For a Cure collaborative research project

Catalyst Meetings including Glaucoma 360 – New Horizons Forum

Catalyst For a Cure

Speeding the Cure Unique in two ways

Collaboration vs. conventional insular academic research model Interdisciplinary – bringing together neuroscientists, molecular biologists, biomedical imaging experts in addition to ophthalmology

First team, launched in 2002 – due in part to their work, glaucoma is now defined as a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer s, Parkinson s, ALS and Huntington s

Second team, launched in 2012 – to identify new, specific and sensitive biomarkers for glaucoma


Spreading the word through Education

GLEAMS newsletterUnderstanding and Living with GlaucomaInfomative brochuresWeb site: www.glaucoma.org


1,000,000 unique visitors per year

www.glaucoma.org


National 24x7 Care Line:800-GRISWOLD

www.GriswoldHomeCare.com

Brought to you by:

Extraordinary Home Careat Affordable Rates Since 1982

Griswold Home Care offers access to affordable non-medical care options to assist your loved one.

CareAssure Screening System™

The Griswold Golden Rule: We only approve caregivers we would trust in our own homes.

QuickCare Placement™

We give each family access to the most experienced caregivers available.

ValueCare Commitment™

Simple Rates. Unmatched Value. Our all-inclusive rates are among the most affordable.

Health & Medicine

Adjusting to Life with Glaucoma