If you or someone you know has glaucoma, we can help you find practical support in one place.
For Glaucoma Awareness Week, we have brought together free information and products that may help with everyday routines - from understanding glaucoma to applying eye drops, reading labels, improving lighting and trying products before you buy.
1. Order the free Understanding Glaucoma booklet
Order the free Understanding Glaucoma booklet in print, audio CD or braille. You can also download it in accessible digital formats, including Word, PDF and MP3.
The booklet explains glaucoma, its causes, different types, monitoring, changes and coping strategies.
Order the free Understanding Glaucoma booklet
2. Make eye drops easier with eye drop dispensers, from £8
For many people with glaucoma, eye drops are part of the daily routine. If applying drops is difficult, an eye drop dispenser can help guide the bottle, reduce blinking or flinching, and make it easier to position the drop.
The eye drop dispenser range starts from £8.00, with options including the EziDrops eye drop applicator (£8.00), AutoDrop eye-drop dispenser (£10.20) and Opticare eye-drop dispenser (£11.00). Each works slightly differently, so check the product details to make sure it is suitable for your eye-drop bottle.
For more help with eye drops, watch our short video on managing glaucoma medication. A transcript is also available.
Watch our video on managing glaucoma medication
3. Read labels, menus and letters with magnifiers, from £15.60
If glaucoma has affected your vision, a magnifier may help with everyday reading tasks such as checking labels, price tags, menus, lettersor instructions.
The optical magnifier range starts from £15.60 and includes simple hand magnifiers and portable options such as the DaylightYoYoLED pocket magnifier 3x (£20.00). If you need more features, handheld electronic magnifiers start from £178.80, with options such as the HandyReader 3.5 inch HD handheld portable electronic video magnifier (£178.80).
Before buying a magnifier, we recommend having a low vision assessment so you can choose the correct magnification strength and type for your needs.
4. Improve task lighting at home from £25.00
Good lighting can make everyday tasks easier, from reading and writing to cooking and hobbies.
Lighting products include clip-on lamps, table lamps, floor lamps and magnifier lights. These can be useful for activities such as reading, writing, cooking, hobbies or checking paperwork.
Devices include the Daylight Smart clip-on lamp (£25.00), Daylight UnoPro table lamp (£46.00) and RNIB Lumina Plus floor lamp (£135.00). Each offers a different type of support, from portable lighting to a larger floor lamp that can be directed where needed.
5. Try before you buy
If you are choosing a higher-value product, such as an electronic magnifier or specialist lighting, you may want to try it before buying.
At our Product and Advice Centres, you can try selected products and speak with staff before you decide what is right for you. Centres are available in London, Edinburgh and Belfast, with booking options depending on the location.
