Glaucoma

There are many forms of glaucoma.  As we age the incidence of glaucoma rises.  A leading cause of blindness, glaucoma affects close to 2.5 million Americans age 40 and older. Blacks are 4 to5 times more likely to be blinded by glaucoma than any other race.  The symptoms are usually slow developing and go unnoticed until it is too late for much improvement in vision.  That is why it is so important to get your eyes checked on an annual basis.  This is your best defense against glaucoma.  If you do develop glaucoma during your lifetime there are many ways to treat the disease.  Most of them involve one or more eye drops that you take during the day.  Surgery is needed in those few cases that don’t respond to drop therapy.

Medicare recipients are eligible to receive each year an exam to screen for glaucoma.  Medicare will cover 80% of the optometrist’s exam fee.  The patient or his/her secondary insurance must pick up the patient’s deductible and the remaining 20% balance.

To qualify you must:

1. Have a family history of glaucoma
2. Be diabetic
3. Be African American age 50 and older