The Birdshot Uveitis Society (BUS) achieved registered charity status in its own right in January 2012. Prior to that it has been part of the scottish registered Uveitis Information Group (UIG).
BUS is supported by a consortium of leading ophthalmologists and professionals.
Our charitable objectives are to:
- Promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of birdshot through the provision of support, education and practical advice.
- To advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to birdshot.
We aim to do this by:
- supporting patients with birdshot, particularly when first diagnosed
- providing up-to-date information about the condition and treatment options to help empower patients and ensure they have access to the most appropriate treatment possible
- holding a database of consultants and rheumatologists who have expertise and interest in birdshot and its treatment, so that patients can make informed choices about where to go for treatment
- building better services for people with birdshot, including speedier diagnosis, a pathway into specialist treatment and treatment protocols that are standardized across the UK
- raising the profile of birdshot to ensure it receives a fair share of health and social care resources
- helping prevent avoidable loss of sight or vision through untreated or inappropriately treated birdshot
- building a community of birdshot people around the UK
- establishing the incidence and prevalence of birdshot. At the moment, birdshot is classed as a ‘rare’ or ‘orphan’ disease. Because of this, it is not readily understood or recognized and some people have difficulty in finding appropriate healthcare to prevent the loss of sight.
- promoting international links to research in other countries.
- promoting an international consortium of research into the condition to both better understand and treat birdshot and to use the learning to help treat or prevent other autoimmune diseases.
- fundraising in order to achieve our objectives.