From awareness to action: What you helped to make happen
Glaucoma Awareness Month 2026 was all about one thing. Turning awareness into action.
And this year, that shift really happened, with the support of people like you.
A campaign that reached and moved people
From December through to March, more people than ever connected with Glaucoma NZ.
- Website visits more than tripled compared to the previous year
- Thousands of New Zealanders explored online information about glaucoma and their own risk
- Over 150 Gift of Sight packs were shared across the country
If you visited the website, shared information, or passed something on, you helped more people access what they need to understand glaucoma.
More people reached out for support
In March alone, we received:
116 calls to our helpline
A 164% increase compared to March last year
Many people told us they had heard about glaucoma through the campaign and reached out after taking time to think about their own eye health.
This is exactly the shift we hoped to see. From hearing the message to taking action.
Stories that sparked real conversations
One of the most powerful parts of this year’s campaign was the sharing of lived experiences.
Across social media, people opened up about their journeys with glaucoma. They shared tips, encouragement, and support with others.
Some shared practical reminders:
“I was diagnosed over 20 years ago. Just make sure you go for regular check ups.”
Others shared what living with glaucoma really feels like:
“My experience of glaucoma is not blurriness. Rather it is the loss of peripheral vision.”
When you share stories like this, you help raise awareness and build understanding of glaucoma.
Reaching you in everyday moments
This year, the campaign appeared in places you already move through each day.
- On the radio during your commute (national radio campaign)
- Online while you were scrolling or searching (digital advertising)
- In shopping centres and community spaces (posters and people)
- Through stories shared by others (newsletters and social media)
You may have seen it once. You may have seen it more than once. That repeated visibility is an important part of how awareness builds.
Together, these efforts helped more New Zealanders understand the importance of early detection.
Coming together at Round the Bays
Our community showed up in force at Round the Bays events in Auckland and Christchurch.
Together, participants raised over $5,000 to support Glaucoma NZ’s work.
We saw people living with glaucoma, health professionals, students, families, and supporters all taking part.
You may have taken part, supported someone, or followed along. Every part of that contributes to raising awareness and supporting people affected by glaucoma.
What we learned
This year’s campaign showed us that awareness builds over time.
People often take action after hearing a message more than once.
It also showed that when the next step feels simple, more people are more likely to follow through.
These insights will help shape what we do next.
What happens next
We are building on this momentum.
Next, we will focus on making it easier for people to take the next step. That includes booking an eye check and accessing support through SiGHTWiSE.
We will also continue investing in the channels that helped us reach and connect with so many of you.
With thanks to those who made this possible
This campaign was made possible through the support of our partners, funders, and community.
That includes the many ways people supported this campaign. From sharing stories to helping spread the message.
We would like to acknowledge our 2026 fundraising partners: Auckland Eye, Eye Institute NZ, Matthews Eyecare, OPSM, and Specsavers NZ. Your involvement helped bring this campaign to life and extend its reach across Aotearoa.
We also thank the trusts who supported this work: AbbVie, AD Hally Trust, The Guy Anson Waddel Charitable Trust, Oxford Sports Trust, and Pelorus Trust. Your support helps ensure more New Zealanders can access the information, care, and support they need to protect their sight.
We are grateful to our ambassadors Paddy, Leo, Miles, Vivien, John, Neil, Lisa, Karen, and Estelle, who shared their voices and experiences to help raise awareness of glaucoma.
A special thank you too
If you shared a story, made a call, attended an event, or supported the campaign in any way, thank you.
You helped:
- more people learn about glaucoma
- more people take action towards saving sight
- bring us closer to a future where fewer New Zealanders lose their sight to glaucoma.
March 2026 is just the start of Glaucoma Awareness activity in Aotearoa NZ – a launching pad!
Keep awareness going by creating your own fundraising page for Glaucoma NZ, arrange a guest speaker at your local community group or join a Glaucoma NZ peer group.