Glaucoma awareness-raising strategies

A multimedia campaign may be the best way to raise glaucoma awareness in the UK, according to study results published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Mrs H. Baker of the Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK and colleagues conducted a questionnaire assessing health knowledge and the effectiveness of an awareness-raising campaign conducted through television, local press and radio and places of worship over a six-month period. Attendance at ophthalmic practices before, during and after the campaign was also measured.

The level of questionnaire respondents aware of glaucoma before and after the awareness campaign increased from 22% to 53%, and the source of this information had moved away from word-of-mouth to radio. Attendance at ophthalmic practices did not change during or after the awareness campaign.

The team concluded that radio advertising was the best way of increasing awareness of glaucoma, although it did not influence health-seeking behaviour.