January 2022
Dear NEHEP Partners,

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States — but half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. That’s why we’re spreading the word this Glaucoma Awareness Month!

We’re using this edition of the Eye Health Connection newsletter to connect you with glaucoma resources — and to keep you up to date on the latest glaucoma-related research and events.

We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that Healthy Vision Month (HVM) is coming up in May! The goal of this year’s HVM is to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eye behaviors for the whole family among parents and caregivers of African American and Hispanic/Latino children. Please email devina.fan@nih.gov if you’re interested in partnering with NEI for HVM.

We’re also pleased to welcome Sherrol Reynolds, O.D., F.A.A.O., as NEHEP’s newest Planning Group member. Dr. Reynolds will chair NEHEP’s Write the Vision workgroup — which will support the program’s revamp as part of its work to raise eye health awareness among African Americans!

Best,
Devina Kuo Fan, M.P.H.
Director, National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP)
National Eye Institute
Help us spread the word about NEI’s upcoming video contest
Know any teens interested in science? Tell them about our upcoming video contest! NEI is encouraging teens to explore careers in science, eye health, and research through the Eye on the Future campaign. As part of the campaign, NEI is hosting a national video contest for teens who are interested in science. NEI is especially interested in reaching teens from groups that are underrepresented in science. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to visit the National Institutes of Health. Check NEI's website for updates — contest webpage coming soon.
See who received this year's Fellowships in Glaucoma
Every year, The Glaucoma Foundation and Research to Prevent Blindness award their Fellowship in Glaucoma to researchers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. This year’s recipients (who are all fellows in departments of ophthalmology) will take part in a one-year, $10,000 fellowship to continue their glaucoma research.
Check out free glaucoma resources from Prevent Blindness
Looking for glaucoma resources to share with your audiences? Prevent Blindness has a wide variety to choose from — including downloadable fact sheets in English and Spanish, social media graphics, and a platform for patients with glaucoma to find information and connect with each other.
Share glaucoma resources from Hadley and the American Glaucoma Society
Hadley and the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) created a resource webpage for people living with glaucoma vision changes. The webpage features workshops (which are all reviewed and recommended by the AGS Patient Engagement Subcommittee) that support and empower people with glaucoma and cover topics like navigating unfamiliar places and cooking with glaucoma.
Calendar of Events
Mark your calendar for the American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting
AGS is hosting its annual meeting virtually and live in Nashville, TN from March 2-6, 2022 — and pre-registration is open now! This meeting is the largest and most comprehensive meeting of glaucoma professionals in the nation. The Patient Engagement Symposium, led by NEHEP Planning Group Chair Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, will kick off the meeting on the evening of March 2.
Other Resources
Resource: Prova Education developed a CME-accredited curriculum for providers in collaboration with NEI and experts in ophthalmology and optometry. The curriculum empowers providers to refer, diagnose, and manage care for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration or retinal vein occlusion who may be at risk for vision loss.
Resource: A podcast episode from Hadley features Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, NEHEP Planning Group Chair and glaucoma specialist from Duke Eye Center, answering the most common questions patients have about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how to treat it.
Resource: The American Glaucoma Society is funding grants through the IJCAHPO Education and Research Foundation for eye care technicians looking for certification. Apply through April 30!
Resource: A new illustrated children’s book tells the story of how Berrington the spider — who has trouble with his eyesight and gets bullied at school — overcomes his challenges with the help of his friends.
Connect with NEI on Social Media