Glaucoma: You Can Make A Difference
Understanding Who Is at High Risk of Having Glaucoma By David S. Friedman, MD, MPH, Department of Ophthalmology and International Health, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD Nearly half of those with glaucoma do not know they have the disease. This has been shown repeatedly in studies conducted in developed countries. Click here to read Understanding Who Is at High Risk. Focus on Eye Health: Getting Maximum Benefit Did you know that Medicare helps to pay for a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year for people who are at higher risk for glaucoma? People with Medicare who are eligible for this benefit include the following: African Americans age 50 or older Hispanics age 65 or older People with a family history of glaucoma People with diabetes. Help those at higher risk for glaucoma get the maximum benefit from their Medicare coverage. The National Eye Institute (NEI) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have developed a Medicare Benefit Card to help spread the word. These postcards are available in English and Spanish and promote Medicare benefits for both glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Send these cards to people at higher risk and distribute the cards in your office, at health fairs, senior centers, and other locations in your community. Visit the Healthy Vision Month Website and order your postcards today! You can maximize exposure of this Medicare benefit and the availability of the postcards by sharing this information with your colleagues and constituents. NEI has developed camera-ready, print public service announcements (PSAs) you can download for inclusion in newsletters, magazines, and other print publications. These PSAs can also be posted on your organization's website. Download at www.nei.nih.gov/medicare.	Healthy Vision Month Resources There is no better time to make vision a health priority than during Healthy Vision Month in May. The following materials are designed to help you educate the people in your community about the seriousness of glaucoma and the importance of comprehensive dilated eye exams for people who are at higher risk for the disease. Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma Brochure This brochure provides information about glaucoma for people at higher risk, answers questions about causes and symptoms, and discusses diagnosis and types of treatment. Available in English and Spanish. Glaucoma: Early Detection Means Vision Protection This ready-to-publish article helps you to promote glaucoma awareness during May and beyond. Use it to educate people who receive your publications or visit your website. Work with your local newspapers to place it in their health sections. Available in English and Spanish. Glaucoma: What You Need To Know This fact sheet provides information that people need to know about glaucoma, including that glaucoma has no warning signs, vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, who is at higher risk for glaucoma, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing vision loss. Available in English and Spanish. Glaucoma: You Can Make A Difference For more information, visit: