Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Hanoi Eye Hospital and Novartis Vietnamlaunched the Glaucoma Hybrid Patient Class, a hybrid patient education modelcombining face-to-face and online platforms, on October 24.

Different from traditional patient classes organised face to face in hospitals,this hybrid model will make it convenient for more patients to attend and helpthem with increased awareness and compliance in the treatment of glaucoma,which is known as “the silent thief of vision” causing irreversible loss ofvision and is the second leading cause of blindness in Vietnam and in theworld.

The programme will take place at three leading eye hospitals in Vietnam,including the Hanoi Eye Hospital, Da Nang Eye Hospital and the Ho Chi Minh City EyeHospital, from October to December 2022.

To optimise the effectiveness in raising awareness about glaucoma for patientsand their caregivers, each hybrid patient class is implemented simultaneouslyon two platforms: live at the hospital and online through digital platforms.

At the hospital, the model provides patients with information in the form ofinfographics about glaucoma, clearly showing the prevalence and risk ofglaucoma.

Through digital platforms such as Zalo, Youtube, and the website of Hanoi EyeHospital, the programme will be deployed to maximise the efficiency ofaccessing information and knowledge by patients.

“With the combination of both face-to-face and online platforms supported bydigital technology, I believe this is a very effective health education patientclass model that can help patients and caregivers who cannot go to the hospitalstill have access to health information, medical advice, and answers toGlaucoma-related questions,” said Hanoi Eye Hospital director Nguyen Xuan Tinh.

In Vietnam, according to a survey conducted by the National Eye Institute andAtlantic Philanthropies in 16 provinces in 2007, 24,800 people were blind inboth eyes due to glaucoma. In 2015, there were 13,160 people blind due toglaucoma.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma isthe second leading cause of blindness in the world. In 2020, the number ofpeople (ages 40-80) with glaucoma in the world is about 79.6 million, which ispredicted to increase to 111.8 million by 2040, of which Asian glaucomapatients account for 47%. In developed countries, about 50% of people withglaucoma do not know they have the disease and do not go to the doctor.Meanwhile, in developing countries, this number can increase to up to 90%./.