41,000 Wisconsin boomers have glaucoma. Do you?
More than 41,000 Wisconsin residents ages 40 and better have glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness, according to Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, affecting peripheral vision, and if left untreated, impacts central vision as well. Vision loss can be reduced through early detection, according to an article in the Milwaukee Courier.
Women are more likely than men to develop glaucoma before age 65; after, the risk is equal between genders. The disease is six to eight times more prevalent among African Americans, who also develop it an average of 10 years earlier than individuals of other races. Glaucoma is more likely to cause blindness in African Americans and Hispanics.
Glaucoma costs patients between the ages of 40 and 64 more than $3,000 annually. For those 65 and older, the annual costs increase to $5,243 per person. Those costs will only increase as an aging baby boomer population increase the prevalence of the disease, said Bob Goldstein, President & CEO, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin.
In honor of National Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is educating the public on maintaining their eye and vision health.
Read more in the Milwaukee Courier.
For more information
Prevent Blindness America resources:
www.preventblindness.org
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin: Reduced cost glasses/financial assistance:
www.preventblindness.org/wi/adult_resources.html
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