Glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness and the number one cause of irreversible blindness. More common in Black, Asian, and Hispanic people, glaucoma affects roughly three (3) million Americans, a number that the National Eye Institute says will rise 58% (to 4.2 million) by 2030. Yet, experts say that half of the people living with glaucoma don’t realize they have it.

Each January, National Glaucoma Awareness Month draws public attention to this silent eye disease and the need for regular eye exams, and provides support to those affected. Prevent Blindness, a not-for-profit education and advocacy organization, plays an important role in this campaign by offering glaucoma patients and caregivers a wide array of free online resources* to help them live better with the disease.

Exposing the ‘sneak thief of sight’

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of eye diseases that gradually damage the optic nerve, the eye-brain connection, causing a person to lose vision slowly over time. The disease’s common forms affect mostly middle-aged and elderly people, but can develop at any age. There are forms of it that some people are born with.

Glaucoma is often called the ‘sneak thief of sight’ because a person can lose as much as 40% of their vision without noticing it happening. “There are no symptoms,” states The Glaucoma Research Foundation, “and once vision is lost, it’s permanent.” About 120,000 Americans are blind from glaucoma, comprising 9%-12% of all blindness cases.

While there isn’t yet a cure for glaucoma, vision loss can be slowed or prevented with medication or surgery. Treatment depends on disease type and other factors. To stop glaucoma progression, early detection is critical.

Free educational resources 

In addition to the information provided here in The Glaucoma Community, you can learn from and share these other online resources:

• Prevent Blindness’ dedicated glaucoma page featuring free downloadables that include a glaucoma checklist, information on eye drops and other treatments, and a fact sheet on financial assistance, among others.  
• An “Understanding Glaucoma” video in which glaucoma specialist Constance Okeke, MD, MSCE speaks with Jeff Todd, Prevent Blindness President and CEO, on the importance of resources for glaucoma patients and caregivers. 
• An updated version of Living Well With Low Vision for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals. People with glaucoma and severe visual impairment will find free help directories, self-help guides, apps, and related news.

Observing National Glaucoma Awareness Month 

There are several ways to observe this month’s awareness campaign.

• • Share information about glaucoma and its prevention with family and friends.
  • Volunteer at events hosted by your local health center or city departments to network.
  • Schedule an eye exam, as regular checkups are critical to eye health.

• Know the risks for glaucoma:

• • African, Asian, or Hispanic race/ethnicity
  • Over 60 years old
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Diabetes
  • Severe nearsightedness (myopia).

Medicare coverage for glaucoma screening

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages healthcare professionals to be sure all eligible patients with Medicare coverage take advantage of CMS’ yearly glaucoma screening benefit. Eligible beneficiaries must fall into at least one high-risk group.

• Diabetics
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• African Americans aged 50 years and older
• Hispanic Americans aged 65 years and older

A glaucoma screening covered by Medicare includes:

• A dilated eye exam with eye pressure measurement 
• A direct ophthalmoscopy exam or slit-lamp biomicroscopy exam 

More information on glaucoma screening and CMS coverage can be at medicare.org and medicare.gov.

*Prevent Blindness. (2022, December 22). Prevent Blindness Invites Patients and Caregivers to Join The Glaucoma Community as Part of January’s National Glaucoma Awareness Month. https://preventblindness.org/2023-glaucoma-awareness-month