January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. The term glaucoma encompasses a number of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve. Individuals over the age of 60, especially people of color, and those with a family history are more at risk than the general population. Regular eye exams that check the pressure within the eye can detect glaucoma in the early stages. When diagnosed early, treatments for glaucoma can prevent serious vision loss.

For more information about glaucoma, please visit the following web sites:
Lighthouse: www.lighthouse.org/about-low-vision-blindness/vision-disorders/glaucoma/
Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/basics/definition/con-20024042
Medline Plus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/glaucoma.html
National Eye Institute: www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma

The following are glaucoma organizations that provide education and research-related information:
American Glaucoma Society: 415-561-8587, ags@aao.org, www.americanglaucomasociety.net/
Bright Focus Foundation: 855-345-6647, info@brightfocus.org, www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/
The Glaucoma Foundation: 212-285-0080, info@glaucomafoundation.org, http://www.glaucomafoundation.org/
Glaucoma Research Foundation: 415-986-3162 or 800-826-6693, question@glaucoma.org, www.glaucoma.org/