An estimated 3 million Americans are afflicted with the eye disease glaucoma. Glaucoma usually has no noticeable symptoms and can even effect people with 20/20 vision. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. The term glaucoma refers to a group of diseases with common features including intraocular pressure (eye pressure) too high for the health of the eye, damage to the optic nerve, and permanent loss of side (peripheral) vision. Nearly half of the people afflicted with the disease are undiagnosed. That means 1.5 million people in the U.S. are slowly losing sight, and they don't even know it.

Those people at greater risk are:

• Age of 40+ years
• African-American descent
• Elevated eye pressures
• Family history of glaucoma
• History of migraines & diabetes
• Nearsightedness
• Regular use of cortisone
• Previous eye injuries

If you are at risk or it's been over two years since your last eye exam, call Family EyeCare & Contact Lens Center today for a comprehensive eye health examination.