HispanicBusiness

National Campaign Works to Prevent Blindness in Hispanic Communities by Providing Free Glaucoma Eye Exams and Free Educational Videos


SAN FRANCISCO, July 17 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Summer is the perfect time to see your family. EyeCare America asks that along with getting snapshots of great summertime memories you get a snapshot of your family history of glaucoma. Hispanics are at increased risk for glaucoma. Having a family member who has glaucoma puts them at even greater risk for getting the eye disease.

The Family Glaucoma Snapshot campaign is intended to raise awareness about the risk factors for glaucoma among Hispanic communities. EyeCare America also encourages people to call its Glaucoma EyeCare Program at 1-800-391-EYES (3937) to find out if they are eligible for a free glaucoma eye exam.

Additionally, EyeCare America is providing DVDs of the "Glaucoma: A Guide for Latinos" video, featuring boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, free of charge to those interested. The 30-minute educational video has been developed to increase glaucoma awareness, diagnosis and treatment among Latinos. Those interested in receiving a DVD can call 1-877-887-6327. The DVDs will be available while supplies last.

"Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among U.S. Hispanics," said Rene Rodriguez-Sains, MD. "It normally progresses so slowly that there are no warning signs before permanent damage has occurred to the eye. Educating the Hispanic community about the importance of a yearly eye exam should result in earlier detection and treatment of glaucoma and prevention of vision loss."

Hispanics are at a disproportionately higher risk for developing glaucoma and Hispanic women are almost twice as likely as men to have the disease. Approximately six percent of Hispanics 41 years of age and older have glaucoma and as high as 12 percent of Hispanics 80 years old and older. And among Hispanics with glaucoma, 38.8 percent are men and 61.2 percent are women.

In the fight against blindness caused by glaucoma in the Hispanic community, EyeCare America asks people to get their Family Glaucoma Snapshot by following these three, simple steps:

Get Your Family Glaucoma Snapshot

1. ASK: "Does anyone in our family have glaucoma?"
2. CALL: 1-800-391-EYES (3937) to see if you qualify for a FREE exam.
3. TELL: Your family if you have glaucoma.

EyeCare America's Glaucoma EyeCare Program promotes early detection and treatment of glaucoma. It raises awareness of glaucoma risk factors, provides free glaucoma educational materials and facilitates access to a glaucoma eye examination.

The Glaucoma EyeCare Program is designed for people who:

-- Are U.S. citizens or legal residents
-- Have not had an eye exam in 12 months or more
-- Are at increased risk for glaucoma (as determined by risk factors that include family history, race, and age)

People may call the toll-free help line at 1-800-391-EYES (3937) for themselves and/or family members, to see if they qualify for a glaucoma eye exam or to request free eye care information. The EyeCare America help line operates all day, everyday, year-round.

*Those eligible for a referral through the glaucoma program receive a glaucoma eye exam and the initiation of treatment, if deemed necessary. Uninsured patients will receive the above care at no charge. Patients with insurance will be billed and are responsible for any co-payments and/or the cost of the eye examination.

The Glaucoma EyeCare Program is co-sponsored by Pfizer Ophthalmics.

About EyeCare America
Established in 1985, EyeCare America, the public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education. EyeCare America provides eye care services to the medically underserved and for those at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities. More than 90 percent of the care made available is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. EyeCare America includes programs for seniors, glaucoma, diabetes, AMD and children, and is the largest program of its kind in American medicine. Since its inception, EyeCare America has served more than 860,000 people. EyeCare America is a non-profit program whose success is made possible through charitable contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. More information can be found at: http://www.eyecareamerica.org .

NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: High-resolution images and interviews with EyeCare America spokespeople, physicians and patients available upon request.