SiGHTWiSE: Glaucoma Australia gives patient support journey a new name

–
Glaucoma Australia has recently announced the new name of its patient support program, SiGHTWiSE, which is intended to signal a brighter future for people diagnosed with glaucoma and their families.

The program, which initially launched in 2018 following consultation and feedback from the eye care industry, is designed to support glaucoma patients from the moment of their initial diagnosis, and is achieved through a collaborative care approach.

Through SiGHTWiSE, optometrists can refer their glaucoma patients to Glaucoma Australia to receive emotional and practical support from clinical Orthoptist Educators and qualified Health Counsellors. The program is intended to help patients manage the anxiety of receiving a glaucoma diagnosis and support them with their ongoing challenges.

Optometrists can refer their patients via Oculo or by visiting glaucoma.org.au/refer.

‘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,’ said Richard Wylie, Glaucoma Australia CEO.

‘With an average of 2,700 new patients joining the program each year, 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 conducted by Glaucoma Australia on the effectiveness of the program showed that 84% of patients who take part in SiGHTWiSE adhere to their prescribed treatments, and 91% of patients in the program attend their recommended appointments.

In addition, 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, while those who rated their knowledge as below average, or poor, fell from 22% to 6%.

‘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 added.

The new brand identity will be rolled-out across all collateral in the coming months.