Glaucoma is a long-term eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. If glaucoma is not treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. Many people do not notice symptoms in the early stages, so regular eye tests are very important. Having clear, easy-to-understand information also helps people take care of their eye health and make confident decisions about treatment.
Many patients feel they do not always get enough information about glaucoma, or that the information they do receive is difficult to understand. Appointments can be short, and medical language can sometimes be difficult to understand. When people are unsure about their condition or treatment, it can be harder to use eye drops correctly, attend appointments regularly, or feel confident about managing their eye health.
To help improve this, healthcare professionals and patients worked together to create a free online education course about glaucoma, designed specifically for people living with glaucoma, as well as their families and carers. The course was created by a team that included eye specialists, pharmacists, nurses, education experts, and patients themselves. By including patients, and their experiences, the course was written based on real-life concerns, questions and worries using clear and understandable language. The goal was to create a resource that people could access anytime, from anywhere, helping them better understand glaucoma and feel more confident managing their care.
The course explains what glaucoma is, how it is diagnosed, and the different treatment options available, including eye drops, laser treatment, and surgery. It also includes practical advice on living well with glaucoma and information about support services. It also includes lifestyle advice, information on support services, and real patient stories, which help people feel less alone and more prepared for their journey with the condition.
There are two versions of the course available; the shorter version takes about two hours to complete, while the longer, and more detailed version takes around ten hours. Learners can choose which sections they want to focus on and can return to the material whenever they need to. The course uses videos, images, short explanations, and quizzes to help people learn in a way that feels clear and manageable.
Online education, like this glaucoma course, is becoming an important part of modern eye care and can support traditional clinic care. By improving understanding, these tools help patients become active partners in their care, which can lead to better treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Read the paper: An online glaucoma educational course for patients to facilitate remote learning and patient empowerment
By Professor Rashmi Mathew, MSc PFHEA FRCOphth. Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Glaucoma Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Ann's Hospital,
Moorfields education has a free course digital learning about glaucoma developed for people with glaucoma, their family and friends.