A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of January 2006 as "Glaucoma Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania

WHEREAS, Glaucoma is a leading cause of both preventable and irreversible blindness in the United States, with more than three million people suffering from the disease with less than half of them diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases that usually affects the middle-aged and elderly, but is also a congenital and juvenile condition; and

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye Doctors across the nation recommend that those at higher risk for glaucoma have a complete eye exam at least every one to two years, especially those with a family history of the disease, African Americans and Hispanics older than 40, individuals older than 50, anyone older than 40 with a history of myopia/nearsighted, anyone who has experienced severe injury/trauma to the eyes, individuals with high blood pressure, and people with diabetes; and

WHEREAS, Glaucoma often goes unnoticed because there are no apparent symptoms in the early stages of the disease – it is a silent threat; and up to 40% of the optic nerve could be damaged before any vision loss is noticed by the patient; and

WHEREAS, While there is no cure for glaucoma, with early diagnosis and treatment (i.e. eye drops, surgery), glaucoma can be successfully controlled; and

WHEREAS, As Pennsylvania’s population ages, especially the baby boomers, glaucoma will be on the rise and this presents social, medical, and economic problems.

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designates the month of January 2006 as "Glaucoma Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania to help develop greater public awareness of the importance of medical eye care for the citizens of Pennsylvania.

We would like to thank Deborah Dolnick for her efforts in proposing and pursuing passage of this resolution through her State Representative!