Glaucoma Australia’s successful patient support program has been rebranded SiGHTWiSE.
Glaucoma Australia CEO Richard Wylie said “SiGHTWiSE really is the perfect articulation for our program. We aim to support glaucoma patients throughout their treatment journey by arming them with the knowledge to confidently face a future living with glaucoma. With wisdom comes confidence and confidence is the foundation of success.”
Through one-on-one emotional and practical support, delivered by qualified orthoptist educators and health counsellors, the SiGHTWiSE Program helps patients manage the anxiety of receiving a glaucoma diagnosis and supports them with ongoing challenges.
Shannon Davis, who was diagnosed with glaucoma when he was 43 years old, said Glaucoma Australia played a “huge role” in helping him “along the road to acceptance”.
“They treated me as a whole person – not just as a patient with glaucoma,” he said.
“Through Glaucoma Australia, I’ve gained a support network, and the information and resources I need to manage my condition long into the future. I can’t put into words how important this support is to me. It’s truly life changing.”
With an average of 2,700 new patients joining the program each year, Mr Wylie said SiGHTWiSE “helps eye health professionals extend their care beyond the consultation room by assisting glaucoma patients to embark and stay on the optimal treatment course”.
A recent survey into the effectiveness of the program showed that 84% of patients who take part in Glaucoma Australia’s SiGHTWiSE Program adhere to their prescribed treatments, and 91% of patients in the Program attend their recommended appointments1 – both important indicators for management success.
Additionally, the number of patients surveyed who rated their knowledge of glaucoma and how it is treated as above average or excellent increased from 37% to 51% after receiving education and support through the SiGHTWiSE Program. Those who rated their knowledge as below average, or poor fell from 22% to 6%.1
LONG-TERM TREATMENT SUCCESS
“Patient education has been shown to improve adherence and better adherence has been linked to a better prognosis in glaucoma. We hope SiGHTWiSE will give our glaucoma community their best chance of achieving long-term glaucoma treatment success,” Mr Wylie said.
The new brand identity, created by the agency HBK, is being rolled-out across all collateral. Patients can enrol in Glaucoma Australia’s SiGHTWiSE Program at glaucoma.org.au/ sightwise or by calling (AUS) 1800 500 880.
Reference
- Glaucoma Australia Patient Impact Measurement Survey 2023
