Campaign Opens Eyes To Glaucoma Risks (NAPSA)—A new program has been launched to raise awareness about the dangers of glaucoma, particularly to African-Americans and others at risk for this sightstealing disease. Capitol Vision seeks to motivate people to see their eye doctor and to ask for a regular glaucoma screening. The program is made possible through a partnership with the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation and Pharmacia Corporation. “Those of us in the Congressional Black Caucus, those in the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, those in the Medical Caucus, those of us that feel that we’re blessed to be in public life want to join with the private sector to find out what we can do to make as many people have access to glaucoma screenings and to healthcare,” said Rep. Charles B. Rangel of pee . A public education program is helping spread the word about the risks of glaucoma. Americanshasthe disease. According to experts, glaucoma cannot be prevented, but early detection can help save one’s sight. That’s why it is essential for all Americans to have their eyesight checked on a regular basis. “Whenever you get your eyes (D-New York). examined, be sure to ask that key disease, but about half don’t know doc?” said Dr. Eve Higginbotham, professor and chair, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Maryland School of Medicine. “We Glaucomais a leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States and an estimated three million Americans have the it because there are no warning signs. African-Americans are six to eight times more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians;also, it develops earlier—around age 40. By age 70, one in eight African- question: ‘How’s my optic nerve, have medications, we have lasers, and we have surgery to treat. One of the medications is called Xalatan andit’s used just once a day.” To learn more about glaucomaor Capitol Vision, visit www.glaucoma congress.org.
