Are You at Risk for Glaucoma? The Facts as Excel Eye Center
Celebrates Glaucoma Awareness Month.

January 2, 2002, Provo,UT- There are approximately 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older that have glaucoma and half are at risk for going blind because they don't know they have the disease. You could be one of them.

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain, is damaged. It can be associated with elevated pressure within the eye and could lead to vision loss. It may begin with loss of peripheral vision and then advance to a reduction in central vision and then can potentially lead to blindness.

"Most people who have glaucoma don't notice symptoms until they begin to lose some vision. But vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if it's caught and treated in time," said Jesse N. Hunsaker, M.D., ophthalmologist at Excel Eye Center of American Fork. "As part of Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, we urge you to get a complete eye exam if you're at risk for developing glaucoma."

So, who's at risk? "African-Americans have a higher incidence of glaucoma and it often appears at a younger age than in other racial groups. Anyone with a close relative - father, mother or sibling - with glaucoma, older people, those with diabetes and people who've had a serious eye injury are also considered at risk," says N. Kent Linton, M.D., ophthalmologist at Excel Eye Center of Payson. Anyone who falls into these groups should talk with their Eye M.D. about how often they need to have their eyes examined to ensure good vision.

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection and treatment can usually preserve vision. Know your risk factors and have your eyes examined at the intervals recommended by your Excel doctor. Call Provo 801-374-1818, Orem 801-426-9800, American Fork 801-756-9627, Payson 801-465-2575.

About Excel Eye Center

For more than 80 years, Excel Eye Center has been the standard for eye care in Utah County by consistently providing the highest available levels of professional eye treatment in a caring and friendly environment. Today the company is among the largest private ophthalmologic practices in the Western United States with full-service treatment centers in Provo, Orem, American Fork, and Payson and satellite offices in Nephi, Fillmore, Mt. Pleasant, Richfield, Gunnison, and Delta. In addition to offering a complete range of ophthalmologic and optometric services, the company also specializes in laser-assisted corrective surgery, (including LASIK), pediatric ophthalmology, cataract care and cosmetic surgery. For more information, call (801) 374-1818 or visit www.exceleyecenter.com.

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