(NAPSA)-A ten year study recently
showed glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness in the U.S., can be
prevented or delayed.
A study by the National Eye Institute (NEI)
found pressure-lowering eye drops reduced patients' development of
glaucoma by fifty percent. "The study showed that treating elevated
eye pressure delays or prevents the onset of glaucoma in some
people," says Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of NEI.
"If
you are at risk of glaucoma (all people over age 60 and African
Americans and Hispanics over age 40), see your eye care professional
to receive a comprehensive eye exam and to see if eye drops might
help."
Eye screening is strongly supported by the
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, a nonprofit group instrumental in
getting Congress to cover preventative glaucoma screenings under
Medicare.
"Testing is quick and painless," says Bud
Grant, Foundation president. "Once identified, glaucoma can be
effectively treated."
Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is
damaged-usually by increased pressure within the eye, a condition
known as ocular hypertension. Damage to the optic nerve causes loss
of peripheral vision and as the glaucoma worsens, the field of
vision narrows and blindness usually results.
It is estimated that between three and six
million Americans-including between four and seven percent of the
population above age 40-have elevated eye pressure. The NEI study is
the first scientific confirmation that treating elevated eye
pressure before glaucoma develops can delay the onset of the
disease.
Doctors say the study reconfirms the
assertion that all people at risk should receive annual
comprehensive eye exams.
For more information, visit
www.glaucomacongress.org
or call 1-877-611-4232.
