Yale Providing Glaucoma Screening August 22

NEW HAVEN — Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science will offer the second annual free public screening for glaucoma on Friday, August 22, from 11 am to 3 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 associated with glaucoma starts in the periphery of the field of vision, patients often do not know they only have tunnel vision remaining, at which time they are unable to regain lost vision.

Early detection through screenings may preserve sight in those 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. “Last year’s first open public screening was a huge success with over 300 people attending and several being detected for early stages of glaucoma and appointments made for follow-up treatment. This is why screening for glaucoma is so vital.”

The free screening is open to the general public. Walk-ins are welcome.