January is

Glaucoma Awareness Month, and Prevent Blindness Georgia, along with the

National Eye Institute and 32 other organizations, are highlighting the

importance of good vision and eye care.

Pomeroy said

a dilated eye exam, in which drops are placed in the eye to dilate the

pupils, is the best way to detect glaucoma.

"It allows

the eye care professional to obtain a better view of the eye's optic nerve

to look for early signs of glaucoma," said Pomeroy. "With treatment,

glaucoma usually can be controlled and remaining vision can be protected."

In many people,

glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye progressively

increases, leading to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral (side)

vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows

and blindness can result. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible

vision loss in the United States and affects about three million Americans.

"Up to

one-half of this number may be unaware they have the disease," Pomeroy

said. "Higher risk population groups include everyone over the age

of 60, African Americans and all blacks over the age of 40 and people

who have a family history of glaucoma. These people need to receive a

dilated eye exam at least every two years."

Carmen J. Wilson,

M.D., a Morehouse School of Medicine assistant professor and Morehouse

Medical Associates ophthalmologist, said if glaucoma is detected and treated

early in its progression, it can usually be slowed and serious vision

loss can be delayed.

"People

at risk for glaucoma often presume that if their vision is fine, there

is no need to be concerned," she said. "It is only when they

notice vision loss that they take action. And while steps can be taken

to preserve remaining vision, such as with eye drops or laser surgery,

vision already lost from glaucoma is lost forever."

A free brochure,

"Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma," is available by calling Prevent

Blindness Georgia at 404-266-0071.

Founded in

1965, Prevent Blindness Georgia is a nonprofit, volunteer health agency

that brings sight-saving programs and services, early detection vision

screenings and public education to children and adults throughout the

state.

Programs include

children's vision screenings, vision outreach to indigent adults, vouchers

for free or reduced cost glasses and vision screening training programs.

In 1999, staff and volunteers vision screened more than 10,000 four-year-olds

and trained almost 400 volunteers and professionals on how to conduct

a vision screening.

Prevent Blindness

Georgia is an affiliate of Prevent Blindness America, founded in 1908

and the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization

dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight.

Glaucoma Awareness

Month is coordinated by the National Eye Institute and sponsored by organizations

representing the National Eye Health Education Program Partnership, a

nationwide effort to educate the public about the importance of preventive

eye care.