Free Glaucoma, Vision Screenings

At Yale-New Haven Hospital

NEW HAVEN -— Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH), Yale School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, the Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, and Prevent Blindness Tri-State have teamed up to offer a free public screening for glaucoma Friday, August 24, from 11 am to 5 pm, in the East Pavilion cafeteria special events area at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

This screening will give people an opportunity to be seen by a doctor and undergo a series of simple painless tests. If a potential problem is identified, a referral for further examination will be made.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, often associated with increased pressure in the eye. Unfortunately, because the visual loss in glaucoma starts in the periphery of the field of vision, patients often do not know that they have it until only tunnel vision remains. By this time they are unable to regain the lost vision. Catching the disease early may preserve sight in those individuals affected.

“Our goal is to catch glaucoma early and treat it before the patient even knows there is a visual problem, thus preventing progression to visual impairment or blindness,” said Susan H. Forster, MD, associate clinical professor and medical director of the Student Sight Savers Program at Yale. “This is why screening for glaucoma is so important.”

“We are very excited to offer this free screening to the public,” said Dr Forster. “We are grateful to have our partners at the Prevent Blindness Tri-State organization working with us to offer our resources and education to the public about this potentially threatening disease as well as other eye diseases.”

Prevent Blindness Tri-State is the only nonprofit agency totally dedicated to preserving sight and preventing blindness in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

“People over 40, the baby boomers, are still an idealistic and feisty bunch who expect a lot out of their middle and later adult years,” said Tri-State President and CEO Kathy Garre-Ayars. “By the year 2020, the numbers of people that will be visually impaired or blind will double and it’s the boomers who will contribute to those staggering statistics.

“If you are over 40, whatever your dream is for your future, without yearly eye exams and awareness of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, the chances of you seeing that dream come true are greatly compromised,” continued Ms Garre-Ayars.

The Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation is the funding partner for the Yale Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science and its Student Sight Savers program. The Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, Inc is dedicated to supporting the activities of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, which is committed to helping all Americans fight the scourge of glaucoma and other eye diseases. Prevent Blindness Tri-State has received funding for this program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Prevent Blindness America in order to expand educational, outreach, advocacy and vision screening to adults 40 and older.

To register for the free screening, call 203-688-2000. Walk-ins are welcome and parking validation will be available.