Eyecare America

News Conference Announced National Study Revealing Hispanics are Unaware that Ethnicity is a Risk factor for Glaucoma

September 14, 2007 – Coral Gables, FL - EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, today received a proclamation from the Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office securing September 14th at Glaucoma Awareness Day in Miami. The proclamation was issued during a news conference that took place at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables. The conference, in partnership with the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Health Foundation of South Florida, and the Hispanic Coalition, kicked off EyeCare America’s Glaucoma Awareness Campaign and announced findings from a national health survey revealing that Hispanics are unaware their ethnicity is a high risk factor for glaucoma.

EyeCare America’s “Glaucoma Awareness Campaign” is aimed at Florida’s four million Hispanics. The Campaign promotes early detection and treatment of glaucoma by raising awareness of risk factors, provide educational materials, and facilitate access to a free eye examination by calling 1-800-391-3937. The National Americans Eye Health and Eye Disease Survey, conducted for The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, found that 76 percent of Hispanics did not know that their ethnicity was a risk factor for glaucoma. Previous studies substantiate these findings significantly, for example the Los Angles Latino Eye Study reported that 75% of Hispanics with glaucoma are undiagnosed.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve of the eye. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form. It often has no warning signs and, if left untreated, can result in permanent vision loss or blindness. An estimated 6.7 million people have gone blind due to Glaucoma, making it the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. 

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 7,200 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, AMD, diabetes and children, and is the largest program of its kind in American medicine. Since its inception, EyeCare America has helped 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.