Brenda Edwards Urges ‘Aunties’ to Combat Glaucoma Risk in Communities

Television personality Brenda Edwards is mobilizing Britain’s ‘aunties’ to play a pivotal role in raising awareness about preventable sight loss, particularly within African-Caribbean communities. Edwards, a star of the talk show Loose Women, revealed her family’s history with glaucoma, a condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss. She highlighted that individuals from African-Caribbean backgrounds are at a significantly higher risk, being up to four times more likely to develop this condition.

Edwards’ call to action comes in response to a recent survey indicating that African-Caribbean adults are not only more susceptible to glaucoma but are also a third more likely to delay or skip essential health appointments, including visits to general practitioners and eye examinations. The survey, which included responses from 2,000 adults with a subset of 500 from African-Caribbean backgrounds, underscored the influence of trusted figures within these communities. Notably, eight in ten respondents stated that advice from older, respected women, or ‘aunties,’ would impact their health decisions.

Empowering Communities Through Awareness

In partnership with Specsavers, Edwards emphasized the crucial role aunties play in their families and communities. “Aunties have been praying, cooking, and looking after their communities forever,” she stated. “Now it’s time for them to tell their loved ones to get an eye test – because that’s who they will listen to.” She urged individuals to take eye health seriously, saying, “Please do as your auntie says and book one today, even if you think you can see perfectly fine. I’m not asking now, I’m telling you – pass the message on.”

The survey revealed that 71 percent of participants believe it is essential for health advice to come from someone with a similar background. This statistic highlights the potential impact of culturally relevant outreach in improving health outcomes.

Rising Glaucoma Rates and the Need for Action

According to Robyn Asprey, development manager at Glaucoma UK, the number of individuals living with glaucoma is projected to increase by 44 percent between 2015 and 2035. This alarming growth particularly affects groups with higher risk profiles, including those from African-Caribbean backgrounds. Asprey noted, “People from African-Caribbean communities are up to four times more likely to get glaucoma, and although it’s more common later in life, it can affect people of all ages.”

Despite the increasing prevalence, knowledge about glaucoma remains inadequate. Nearly half of those surveyed reported being unaware of the dangers or warning signs associated with the condition. Alarmingly, one in five participants admitted it had been two years or more since their last eye examination, while one in twenty had never had an eye check at all.

Ebahi Demi Ejegi, an optometry director at Specsavers Sidcup, emphasized the importance of regular eye checks. “Glaucoma can develop slowly over time without obvious symptoms, meaning many don’t realize there’s a problem until irreversible damage to their vision has already been done,” he explained. “That’s why regular eye checks are so important – they’re not just about checking your vision; they’re vital to catch conditions like glaucoma early.”

Brenda Edwards’ campaign serves as a crucial reminder of the need for proactive health measures within vulnerable communities. By encouraging influential figures like aunties to advocate for regular eye examinations, there is hope for reducing the incidence of glaucoma and improving overall health outcomes.