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Have Eyes Examined
For Glaucoma
New York, N. Y. - The National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, Inc. today urged that eye examinations for glaucoma, a blinding eye disease involving increased intraocular pressure begin at age 35 rather than 40 years. The Society said its suggestion for earlier examinations in based on investigations indicating that glaucoma may be found “not infrequently” among persons in their 30’s, and the improvement in scientific knowledge and diagnostic equipment for glaucoma.
In a special statement within the health agency's annual report for 1964 released here the Society’s Committee on Glaucoma, comprised of 15 eminent U.S. ophthalmologist^, has recommended that 35 years be set as the starting age for all public glaucoma screening programs. Glaucoma, the second greatest cause of blindness in the United States, accounts for nearly 14 percent of all loss of sight. Often referred to as the "sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma in its most common form can destroy vision slowly and painlessly without arousing any obvious warning signs in the victim. Blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. The National Society has previously estimated that more than 1,350,000 Americans over 40 years have glaucoma and that half of these are not aware of it. The disease is found to strike about two percent of adults over 40, the So. ciety said. It had previously listed 40 as the critical age for adults to begin having eye examinations for glaucoma. "The recommendation to reduce the age to 35 adds nearly 12,350,000 men and women to those who must consider themselves as potential targets for glaucoma,” the National Society’s annual report stated. The organization counsels all persons 35 and over to have a medical eye examination for glaucoma at least every two years. “Glaucoma cannnot yet be cured, but if detected and treated early enough, it can be controlled and further visual loss prevented, either by drugs or surgery,” pointed out John W. Ferree, M.D., executive director of the National Society. "Early detection, therefore, is essential to preventing blindness, and early detection demands regular eye examinations for adults in the high-incidence age groups,” Dr. Ferree said.
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