NEHEP Programs

Join other health centers, medical professionals, employers, businesses, and citizens across the country in taking steps to promote comprehensive dilated eye exams at least once every one to two years for people at higher risk for glaucoma. In doing so, you are assisting in the effort to reduce visual impairment due to glaucoma. Visit the secure NEI publications catalog to find glaucoma education materials to use as part of your eye health education program.

• Provide glaucoma education materials to patients and their families.

• Distribute information about glaucoma at health clinics, social events, employee meetings, of after faith services.

• Establish a glaucoma information center in your health center, community center, personnel office, or employee cafeteria.

• Arrange for eye care professionals and other health professionals to speak at civic, employee, cultural, faith, and fraternal events about the importance of comprehensive dilated eye exams and distribute Diabetic Eye Disease/Glaucoma Medicare Benefit Card.

• Display posters, brochures, and print PSAs in your office, educational setting, community event, or anywhere people at higher risk for glaucoma will view them. Use them as inserts in prescription bags, shopping bags, or employee paychecks.

• Ask hospitals to include information about glaucoma in medical continuing education programs. Be sure to include information about the Medicare benefit that covers comprehensive dilated eye exams for people at higher risk for glaucoma.

• Record radio PSAs and play them for callers who are put on hold at health clinics, insurance companies, or hospitals. Play them on your public audio systems.

• Arrange for community volunteers to remind people who are at higher risk of glaucoma when they are due for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Encourage them to provide transportation for visits to eye care professionals for these exams.

• Research community-based eye health education programs using the Healthy Vision Community Programs Database to get ideas and inspiration for your eye health education program about glaucoma.

• Issue a proclamation about the importance of encouraging people at higher risk for glaucoma to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years. Proclaim “Glaucoma Outreach (Day, Week, or Month).”

• Sponsor a health fair, make room for an exhibit, or provide space for a table or booth to distribute glaucoma education materials.

• Send reminder cards for them to make an appointment for a comprehensive dilated eye exam for themselves or a loved one.

• Take advantage of community events such as local health fairs, festivals, sports events, and walk-for-health events. Focus on special events and festivals that attract people at higher risk for glaucoma, especially older Americans.

• Participate in events and activities intended to raise awareness about glaucoma, such as a read-a-thon using visual devices and large-print materials.