Allergan is involved in a number of health and biopharma initiatives that are an outgrowth of the company’s innovation. As a leader in eye care, Allergan has discovered, developed, and delivered some of the most innovative products in the industry for more than 70 years. Allergan has launched over 125 eye care products and invested billions of dollars in new treatments for the most prevalent eye conditions including glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion.

More than 4 million people in the United States are expected to have glaucoma by 2030. This serious disease is one of the leading causes of blindness, yet patients do not know that elevated eye pressure is the only treatable risk factor. Von Miller, Super Bowl MVP, Denver Broncos linebacker, and advocate for healthy vision, knows first-hand how important it is to be proactive in taking control of vision-related issues. He is once again partnering with Allergan, an AbbVie Company, for My Glaucoma, My Design, which asks people living with glaucoma and their loved ones to share photos and stories on social media that show how they are managing their disease. This initiative ultimately encourages people with glaucoma and their caregivers to design an effective disease management plan with their doctors.

Glaucoma is characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the fluid pressure inside the eye. IOP is the only treatable risk factor for glaucoma. If left untreated, glaucoma patients continue to progress leading to vision loss and ultimately blindness.

"I don't have glaucoma, but I struggled with vision-related issues when I was young and that is why I have a passion for encouraging people to be proactive in taking control of their eye health," according to Von Miller. "I never realized how serious glaucoma can be and that uncontrolled eye pressure is the only treatable risk factor for glaucoma."

This initiative aims at addressing the lack of awareness and education around the seriousness of glaucoma for people living with glaucoma and their caregivers. While current eye drop therapies can be effective to lower IOP, many patients struggle to administer their drops properly and consistently. In fact, based on a 71 patient study looking at eye drop instillation technique only 28% of people were able to instill eye drops correctly. Additionally, one small study showed people with glaucoma are at a three times greater risk of falls and six times greater risk for automobile accidents.  

My Glaucoma launched on World Sight Day 2019 with a survey designed to help people understand the burden of living with glaucoma and empower those with the disease and their caregivers to feel comfortable speaking with their doctor about a treatment plan that fits their lifestyle. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in 2020, Von Miller partnered with Allergan to challenge people to learn more about the seriousness of glaucoma via an online quiz and shared his personal story about his vision-related issues.

Earlier in the year Allergan was acquired by AbbVie, a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. Allergan, which has an office at Hacienda, is a global pharmaceutical leader focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical, and regenerative medicine products.

For more information about Allergan and its parent company, AbbVie, please visit www.abbvie.com.

For more information about My Glaucoma, My Design, please visit www.myglaucoma.com.