Joining with eye physicians around the world, Duke Eye Center will celebrate “World Glaucoma Week” (WGW) March 11-17, 2012, with various events.
WGW aims to raise awareness of glaucoma across the globe and to promote the importance of regular screenings for the disease. R. Rand Allingham, MD, Richard and Kit Barkhouser Professor of Ophthalmology and Duke Eye Center glaucoma service chief, is the WGW president for the state of North Carolina.
“This is a signature event that increases awareness of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness. It is very important for all of those over age 35 to have regular eye exams to screen for glaucoma. This is the only effective method to detect damage from glaucoma at an early stage,” Dr. Allingham stated.
On April 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Duke Eye Center will offer a vision and glaucoma screening at the Kroger grocery store located at 3420 Watkins Road, Durham, NC, 27707.
This free event, produced in conjunction with the Durham Chapter of the North Carolina Lions’ Club, is first come, first served and open to the public. Internally, Duke glaucoma faculty will present special glaucoma related lectures to residents and fellows during the month of March.
Duke Eye Center will continue its push for glaucoma awareness throughout the year, with other vision screenings at various Kroger locations on the following dates:
June 13, 2012
3457 Hillsborough Road
Durham, NC 27705
September 5, 2012
5116 North Roxboro Road
Durham, NC 27712
November 7, 2012
202 NC Hwy 54
Durham, NC 27713
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve which carries all visual information to the brain. Glaucoma is almost always painless and the vision loss is very hard to detect before significant loss of vision has already occurred.
Once incurred, visual damage is irreversible, and this has led to glaucoma being described as the "silent blinding disease" or the "sneak thief of sight." There are many effective treatments for glaucoma, including eye drops, laser treatment, and surgery. These treatments can stop the progression of vision loss.
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