Prevent Blindness Tri-State Educates the Public on Glaucoma and What Steps Can Be Taken to Lessen Vision Loss
January 25, 2010 – Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world and the leading cause of blindness in African American and Hispanic populations in the United States. In fact, there are over 2,000,000 Americans, ages 40 and older that have the disease, according to a study by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute (NEI). Over 400,000 New Yorkers suffer from the disease.
Monday morning, Governor Paterson issued a proclamation to Prevent Blindness Tri-State-New York designating January as Glaucoma Awareness Month. Together they are reaching out to the residents of New York to emphasize the need for regular eye exams and raise the awareness of preventing blinding eye diseases and how to preserve sight over a lifetime.
“As the first legally blind Governor in the United States, and as someone who understands the challenges of living with limited eyesight, I am especially aware of the difficulties facing those with any form of vision disability,” said Governor Paterson. “I am proud to declare January as Glaucoma Awareness Month in New York State, and commend the work of Prevent Blindness Tri-State for its advocacy for the visually impaired, and in helping blind and low vision people lead better lives.”
“We hope that everyone will make a New Year’s resolution to take care of their eyes and make an appointment to get a dilated eye exam,” added Kathryn Garre Ayars, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Tri-State-New York.
Prevent Blindness Tri-State offers a variety of fact sheets and brochures including a glaucoma “Eye Q” quiz, a glaucoma 17-point checklist and a guide for people who have been diagnosed with the disease. Materials on glaucoma are available in both English and Spanish by calling 203-772-4653 or by visiting www.preventblindnesstristate.org. It also offers Financial Assistance and Vision Care Resource listings as well as information on Medicare coverage for glaucoma exams. Its free screening services reach 1000’s of adults and children every year, with a special emphasis on making eye screening and follow-up services available to underserved populations.
Glaucoma costs the U.S. economy $2.86 billion every year in direct medical costs for outpatient, inpatient and prescription drug services. And, glaucoma patients between the ages of 40 and 64 years of age can expect to pay more than $3,000 annually per person for those services. For those 65 and older, the annual costs jump to $5,243 per person.
As a person ages, the risk for developing glaucoma increases. A new report estimates that Americans will live eight years longer than previously projected, meaning an increase in costs for Medicare, Social Security and other government programs.
“Because of our aging baby boomer population, we know that the numbers of the eye disease will increase significantly,” said Kathryn Garre Ayars, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Tri-State. “With our healthcare system already in crisis, the projected increase in age-related disease cases and associated costs will only spiral upward.”
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. This nerve sends information from the eyes to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, peripheral vision begins to diminish. If left untreated, over time, glaucoma may also damage central vision. Unfortunately, once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored. Vision loss can be lessened, however, if glaucoma is detected and treated early.
Besides age, other risk factors include sex and race. Glaucoma is more common in women, but by age 65, the prevalence of glaucoma becomes more comparable between the sexes. Hispanic, Caucasian and African American populations are more susceptible to open angle glaucoma while acute angle-closure is more common in certain Asian populations and Americans of Asian descent, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.
Other alarming statistics include:
- Glaucoma is six to eight times more likely to occur in African Americans
- African-Americans develop glaucoma at an earlier age—on average, about 10 years earlier than in other ethnic populations
- About four times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans
- A study by the Wilmer Eye Institute and Johns Hopkins University found that open-angle glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among Hispanics
- According to the same study, only 38 percent of Hispanics with glaucoma were aware of their disease
- Glaucoma can affect children as well
Other factors that may increase the chance of having the disease include:
- Family history – If you have a parent, brother or sister with glaucoma, you are more likely to get glaucoma too. If you have glaucoma, your family members should get dilated eye exams.
- Medical history – Diabetes, previous eye injuries, eye surgery or long-term steroid use can increase your risk of glaucoma.
Prevent Blindness Tri-State encompasses New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and has been actively promoting sight-saving services in the region since 1908, reaching millions of children, adults. It is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization that was first founded in New York City, and has since then dedicated itself to its mission to “fight blindness and preserve sight”. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screenings, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of community partnerships, public and private support, it is committed to eliminating preventable blindness. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call Kathryn Garre Ayars at 1-203-772-4653.
Download the press release.
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