December 15, 2003 – San Francisco, CA – Nearly three million people have glaucoma, but half do not realize it because there are often no warning symptoms. In honor of Glaucoma Awareness Month taking place in January 2004, EyeCare America, the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, encourages people to take advantage of its year-round, national Glaucoma EyeCare Program.  

This program offers glaucoma eye exams and care for those at increased risk of glaucoma.  To see if you, a loved one or a friend, is eligible to receive a referral for an eye exam and care, call 1-800-391-EYES (3937), 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year. All eligible callers (see criteria below) receive a referral to one of EyeCare America’s 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists.

 *Those eligible for a referral through the glaucoma program receive a glaucoma eye exam and the initiation of treatment, if deemed necessary. Patients with insurance will be billed and are responsible for any co-payments and/or the cost of the eye examination. Uninsured patients will receive the above care at no charge.

 “If it wasn’t for EyeCare America my husband may have lost his sight to glaucoma,“ said, Eva Gordon, wife of an EyeCare America patient. 

• Facts About Glaucoma - It is estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it.
• Approximately 120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness in the U.S. 
• Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. 
• Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African-Americans than Caucasians.
• The most common form, Open Angle Glaucoma, accounts for 19% of all blindness among African-Americans compared to 6% in Caucasians.
• Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. and the first leading cause of preventable blindness.
•  African-Americans ages 45-65 are 14 to 17 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma than Caucasians with glaucoma in the same age group.
• Other high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted.
• The Glaucoma EyeCare Program promotes early detection and treatment of glaucoma. It raises awareness of glaucoma risk factors, provides free glaucoma educational materials and facilitates access to a glaucoma eye examination. 

The Glaucoma EyeCare Program is designed for people who: · Are US citizens or legal residents · Have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more · Are at increased risk for glaucoma (family history, race, age) 

People may call the toll-free help line at 1-800-391-EYES (3937) anytime, for themselves and/or family members and friends, to see if they qualify for a glaucoma eye exam or to request free eye care information. About EyeCare America’s Public Service Program EyeCare America’s national public service program provides access to eye care for the medically underserved and for those at increased risk for eye disease through volunteer ophthalmologists who donate their services. 

More than 90 percent of the care made available through EyeCare America is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. The organization operates programs for seniors, glaucoma, diabetes, and 

 Since 1985, EyeCare America’s public service program has handled more than 644,000 calls, provided services to 347,000 people, and treated more than 180,000 cases of eye disease. About EyeCare America Founded in 1980, EyeCare America, the public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education.

In the United States, EyeCare America is one of the largest providers of eye care services to the medically underserved and educates the general public about the eye and vision. In developing nations, EyeCare America helps improve eye care by providing free educational resources and materials to ophthalmologists in those regions. 

EyeCare America is a non-profit organization whose success is made possible by its corps of more than 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities and through charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. More information can be found at: www.eyecareamerica.org 

Sources: (1) Prevent Blindness America; (2) National Eye Health Program/National Institutes of Health; (3) American Academy of Ophthalmology; (4) Racial differences in the cause-specific prevalence of blindness in east Baltimore. N Engl J Med. 1991 Nov 14;325(20):1412-7; (5) Glaucoma Research Foundation