Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) has released a 48-minute audiobook version of its educational booklet Understanding and Living with Glaucoma.
Let’s start with GRF.
Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, California, GRF is a national non-profit organization focused on seeking prevention and a cure for glaucoma, slowing its progression, and potentially restoring related vision loss.
In terms of recent news, just last month the organization announced its largest annual research budget in history ($2.5 million) for supporting glaucoma and vision restoration research.
Now explain this booklet.
The book is intended to be a comprehensive guide for patients (plus friends and family) with a recent diagnosis of glaucoma.
Per GRF: The 40-page booklet offers an up-to-date introduction to glaucoma in an easy-to-understand format, with in-depth information and answers to frequently asked questions about all aspects of this condition.
And the audiobook version?
The book is narrated by Bianca Beach, an actress and intimacy coordinator from Orange County, California, who is also partially blind and a glaucoma patient/advocate.
The audio project itself is a collaboration with the Braille Institute of America, a nonprofit providing free programs, seminars, and one-on-one instruction for members of the blind and visually impaired community.
And what’s the benefit of this partnership for the Braille Institute?
Per the institute’s director of Library Services, Lisa Lepore, the nonprofit’s library was the recipient of a new state-of-the-art recording studio that “offers new opportunities to produce audiobooks and other materials.”
“Collaborations like this allow Braille Institute to expand our reach in the low vision community and ensure access to additional resources that help maximize independence and quality of life for those living with vision loss,” Lepore stated.
So why should I be interested in this booklet?
For eyecare practitioners (ECPs), it can be an informative resource for glaucoma patients; plus, GRF offers ECPs the opportunity to order these brochures for their clinical practice (click here to buy in bulk).
Lastly .. where can I listen to and read it online?
Click here to listen to the audiobook version, and click here to download the full booklet.