Glaucoma UK: Glaucoma Awareness Week 2025

Glaucoma Awareness Week 2025: 30 June – 6 July

Professor Anthony King, chair of Glaucoma UK

Professor Anthony King, chair of Glaucoma UK

Glaucoma UK is the UK’s only charity solely dedicated to raising awareness of and supporting people living with glaucoma, writes Professor Anthony King chair of the charity.

'Glaucoma Awareness Week (GAW) is our annual campaign to raise awareness of the disease, and to highlight the support available for those living with glaucoma.'

Know your risk – try our NEW online interactive quiz

This year, during GAW, Glaucoma UK is launching an interactive online quiz to help people assess their likelihood of developing the disease.

As individuals move through the quiz they will be provided with information about glaucoma risk factors, and on completion will receive advice and guidance to help manage their eye health.

The quiz was created to raise awareness of glaucoma and its high risk factors, so people can understand the importance of regular eye tests, and take proactive steps to protect their sight.

Be sure, be seen – get your eyes tested

'We know this is a particularly important message for the general public, as glaucoma – referred to as the silent thief of sight – is often symptomless.

'Without a diagnosis, you could irreversibly lose a proportion of your sight without even realising.

'And with an early diagnosis, the treatment can be more effective in preventing blindness from glaucoma.

'With this in mind, Glaucoma UK is encouraging everyone to be sure of their eye health, ensuring people are aware that the best way to know if you have glaucoma or not – whether you are high or average risk of the disease – is through seeing an eye health professional.

'The online quiz can be found on glaucoma.uk/risk – it only takes 30 seconds, and could help save someone’s sight.'

Beyond the clinic – professional engagement for the good of patients

'Glaucoma UK is also raising awareness among eye care professionals of the range of crucial support services we offer, to ensure their patients know where to turn beyond the clinic.

'We recognise the value of engaging with eye care professionals and existing glaucoma patients, who are the best advocates for, and champions of, access to sight saving care.

'We also know that time for eye care consultations is limited, and many patients only think of questions to ask after they walk out the clinic door.'

Here to support people living with glaucoma – no one should face glaucoma alone

'Our initiative, Beyond the Clinic, aims to provide optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other eye care professionals with the information and tools they need to help patients, and their friends and family.

'Glaucoma UK is here for them every step of the way, whenever they need us, through our dedicated helpline, membership services, and community support.

'Glaucoma care doesn’t end at the door of the clinic, and we want to ensure that no one faces glaucoma alone.

'This is why we are committed to working together with Specsavers, as part of this essential public and professional engagement work.'

Our core purpose – with patients at the centre

This year's Glaucoma Awareness Week campaign encapsulates our core principles of:

  • raising awareness and engaging with communities
  • providing advice and support to glaucoma patients, and
  • investing in and promoting research that improves glaucoma care and treatment

Our mission is to help everyone living with glaucoma to live well with disease.

And only by increasing awareness of the disease, the importance of early diagnosis, and how to maintain good eye health, can we help people to live well with glaucoma, and eradicate preventable sight loss.

Glaucoma UK provides support throughout the patient journey:

  • A dedicated helpline – providing support for people living with glaucoma and their friends and families
  • Free resources – including a comprehensive suite of health information booklets and aids to help people with their eye drops
  • Community support – through our digital glaucoma support groups, a buddying scheme for those facing glaucoma surgery and the chance to become a member of our supportive glaucoma community.

For more information visit glaucoma.uk/risk