Glaucoma is an important public health problem in the United States, affecting at least 3 million people. It is the second leading cause of blindness and the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. Yet it is estimated that half of those suffering from the disease in this country remain undiagnosed. Everyone over 40 is encouraged to seek screening for glaucoma.

Everyone is at risk for glaucoma. Individuals with a higher risk than others of getting the disease include:

· Individuals over age of 60 are 6 times more likely to get glaucoma than their younger counterparts.

· African-Americans over the age of 40 are 6 to 8 times more likely to get glaucoma than individuals of the same age but different ethnicity.

· Individuals with a family history of glaucoma are at 9 times greater risk of getting glaucoma than any other group!

· People with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk over individuals without diabetes mellitus.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve, also known as the sight nerve, is damaged over time. In most cases the normal fluid pressure inside the eye rises. This rise in pressure is caused by reduced drainage out of the eye. Over time, the optic nerve is damaged. Sometimes the pressure does not rise, but the nerve tissue slowly starves from poor blood circulation and lack of essential nutrients. The end result is damaged nerve tissue.

In its initial stages glaucoma has no symptoms. However, an individual will experience some loss of side or peripheral vision. Objects straight ahead may be seen clearly, but objects to the side are missed. As the disease progresses more side vision is lost. Testing for glaucoma is done with an eye examination that usually includes dilating the pupils. The examining physician will put in eye drops that will enlarge the pupils and assist in the examination. In addition a visual field test is commonly performed to accurately measure side vision.

Although open-angle glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be controlled with medication. Drugs in the form of eye drops and pills are designed to reduce pressure in the eye. Treatment of glaucoma must be individualized because many patients may have other ailments, such as heart or lung disease. Laser treatment of open angle glaucoma is useful in some cases. Eye pressure is lowered in about 70% of the patients treated.

Surgery can help; however, it is usually reserved for those whose pressure cannot be controlled with eye drops, pills or laser surgery.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease, it is not curable, and vision lost cannot be regained. Those diagnosed can expect life-long treatment to keep it under control. Regular visits with your optometrist or ophthalmologist are needed to monitor changes in the optic nerve.

Most accidents happen because people just didn't watch what they were doing, where they were walking, where they were standing, sitting, or climbing. As the work force ages and workers remain on the job longer, the impact of aging eye problems to workplace productivity can be significant. Glaucoma and other vision disorders present employees an increased risk for injury. Individuals with vision impairment are 1.9 times more likely to fall and 2.5 times more likely to cause accidents (such as while driving) than individuals with normal vision or corrected vision. Employers need to become familiar with the risks associated to poor vision and the role that regular, preventive eye care and healthy lifestyles play in curbing their growth. Estimates indicate that nearly 14 million Americans suffer from vision impairment. Preventive eye exams have proven to provide an 18:1 cost benefit ratio for employers providing such programs. Routine eye exams should be part of everyone’s preventive health care plan.

Early diagnosis and treatment is key in preventing vision loss from glaucoma. Stay on top of your eye health by visiting yearly with your optometrist or ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam! For corporate preventive health care programs please contact our Client Services Team at 816-561-2105 or customerservice@ohscompcare.com.

To learn more about OHS-COMPCARE contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.

*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*

OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:

Blue Springs Clinical Facility	Independence Clinical Facility	Johnson County Clinical Facility	St. Joseph Clinical Facility
801 NW St. Mary’s Drive	17020 East 40 Highway	10415 Lackman Road	904 Edmond Street
Blue Springs, MO 64104	Independence, MO 64055	Lenexa, KS 66219	St. Joseph, MO 64501
816-224-9121	816-478-9299	913-495-9905	816-233-7702
	* Extended Hours*

KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility	KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility	Wyandotte County Clinical Facility	Grandview Clinical Facility
1650 Broadway	6501 East Commerce, Suite 110	1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200	13830 S Us Highway 71
Kansas City, MO 64108	Kansas City, MO 64120	Kansas City, KS 66102	Grandview, MO 64030
816-842-2020	816-483-5550	913-596-2774	816-761-4664