Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D. commented, “As we begin 2013, we are making raising awareness about glaucoma a priority”, stated Dr. Wu. “We all need to take an extra step to remind patients and their families about the need for regular eye exams with glaucoma screenings,” emphasized Dr. Wu of D’Ambrosio Eye Care with offices in Athol, Lancaster, Acton & Gardner.
According to the most recent statistical data provided by Prevent Blindness America in 2012, 2,719,379 people age 40 and older have open-angle glaucoma, which reflects a 22 percent increase over 2000-a 22% increase. Prevent Blindness America has designated January as National Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Dr. Wu continued, “Patients should be particularly sensitive to the fact that in African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness. Further, other glaucoma risk factors include any family history-especially among siblings-of glaucoma, certain diseases such as diabetes and an increase in glaucoma risk as patients transcend through their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.”
“The key step in preventing vision loss from glaucoma is early detection, diagnosis and treatment”, said Dr. Wu. “This is why we want raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision especially for our aging population. We strongly recommend that siblings of glaucoma patients be screened each and every year as their risk of developing glaucoma is some 5 times higher than the typical population.”
If you or someone you know is concerned about glaucoma risk or has any family history of glaucoma they are encouraged to schedule an eye examination at D’Ambrosio Eye Care by calling us at 800-325-3937, visiting D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice in Athol, Lancaster, Gardner and Acton that serves the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.
