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For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
Jefferson City – As part of Glaucoma Awareness Month the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) unit hosted free glaucoma screenings today at the Missouri state capitol.
“Glaucoma is the number one form of preventable blindness in the U.S.,” said Family Support Division (FSD) Director Janel Luck. “Many people do not know they have glaucoma until they start experiencing vision loss. RSB hosts many free screenings throughout the state and I urge everyone in the area to take advantage of this free screening.”
Diabetics, those with a family history of the disease, African Americans, Hispanics, and persons over 55 years of age are at greater risk for Glaucoma. Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye that damages vision if left untreated. The screening RSB uses throughout the state is known as the ‘air puff test’ and detects elevated eye pressure levels by blowing a small puff of air into the eye. The screening takes under a minute and results are given immediately. Those being screened should notify the screener if they have had eye surgery recently or if they have ever had refractive eye surgery. The screening can be done with soft contacts in the eye, but hard or gas permeable contacts must be removed.
“This test is a simple, cost free way for individuals to find out if they have increased pressure in the eye and should contact their eye care professional for further evaluation,” said Mark Laird, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Interim Director. “Early warning signs and symptoms of glaucoma are not always easily detectable. That is why it is so important for individuals to undergo regular check-ups and take advantage of screenings such as these.”
Treatment for Glaucoma usually consists of eye drops intended to relieve the pressure. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect signs of glaucoma so that treatment can begin early before irreversible damage occurs. The ‘air puff test’ does not replace regular eye exams. Individuals with glaucoma can expect to live with the disease without blindness if they seek treatment early, and continue ongoing treatment.
The department’s Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) unit offers free glaucoma screenings throughout the state. The next free glaucoma screening will be at the Northwest Community Health and Safety Fair at 6005 Cedar Hill Rd. in Cedar Hill, MO on March 29, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To learn more about the services offered by RSB and to find out about local screenings, call 1-800-592-6004.
