» Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
Second
Leading Cause of Blindness Can
strike at any age
In
Rare Cases, Children and Teenagers May Have the Disease
Richmond, VA (December 23, 2008) – Glaucoma
is often called the “sneak thief of sight” because half of all patients
have it and do not know it. Although some may consider the eye
disease something that only happens to older people, the truth is, even
children and teenagers can be diagnosed with it.
A.J.
DeGeorge is now 27 years old but has been receiving treatment for
juvenile open-angle glaucoma since he was 13. At the time of his
diagnosis, he exhibited no signs or symptoms of the potentially
blinding eye disease. His glaucoma was only discovered because of
a routine eye exam.
Glaucoma
causes loss of sight by slowly damaging a part of the eye called the
optic nerve. When the optic nerve becomes damaged, it usually begins to
damage peripheral vision. Without treatment, central vision
becomes diminished. It is the second leading cause of blindness,
second only to cataracts.
“There
were no warning signs. I had very close to 20/20 vision and never
had any pain,” said DeGeorge. “But, when the doctors checked the
pressures in my eyes, they were unbelievably high and my optic nerves
had shown signs of damage.”
After
his diagnosis, DeGeorge began treatment with a glaucoma specialist,
Mildred M.G. Olivier, M.D. of the Midwest Glaucoma Center.
Initial treatment included medications but later a Trabeculectomy
(surgery) was needed in the right eye to lower the eye pressure so that
no further damage would occur. Today, thanks to the early
detection and consistently following his doctor’s directions, DeGeorge
needs only to take eye drops in his left eye once a day.
“Although
having glaucoma at such a young age is rare, I think A.J.’s story
demonstrates the need for everyone, including those young and more
mature, to receive an eye exam,” said Dr. Olivier. “There is no cure
for glaucoma, but with early treatment, we can lessen the risk of
severe vision loss.”
As
of today, there are more then 2.2 million Americans over the age of 40
who have been diagnosed. Unfortunately, once glaucoma takes away
sight, it cannot be restored. That is why Prevent Blindness
Mid-Atlantic has joined other leading eye care groups in designating
January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month in an effort to educate
the public on the disease.
Prevent
Blindness Mid-Atlantic offers free informational resources, including
treatment options and general information through its Web site or via
phone. “The Glaucoma Learning Center,” at
www.preventblindess.org/glaucoma contains a variety of resources,
including an adult vision risk assessment and an interactive guide on
how to take eye drops. The Web site also includes “The Glaucoma
Web Discussion Forum” that allows patients and caregivers the
opportunity to discuss online all subjects related to the disease.
Prevent
Blindness Mid-Atlantic also offers free printed materials including the
“Guide for People with Glaucoma.” This comprehensive booklet serves as
a handbook for patients and includes information on what to expect
during treatment and even a list of questions to ask the eye doctor.
And,
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic offers a free resource directory for
those who may require financial assistance or may have questions about
Medicare coverage in regards to glaucoma. Consumers can obtain
free printed materials on glaucoma in either English or Spanish by
calling (888) 790-2020, ext 4. Ask for Melissa Perry.
» What You Might Not Know...
About Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
is the only local volunteer-based nonprofit organization whose sole
mission is to preserve sight and prevent blindness. The primary means
of accomplishing our mission since 1957 is through vision screenings
for both children and adults, providing support groups for seniors, and
supplying public and professional education and information. For more
information, or to contribute to the sight-saving fund, call toll-free,
(888) 790-2020, ext. "0." We also gratefully accept online
donations here at this web site!
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