[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 45 (Monday, March 16, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF ANNUAL WORLD GLAUCOMA DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 16, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to 
recognize the importance of World Glaucoma Day, a global initiative 
created by the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma 
Patient Association to underscore the importance of getting screened 
for glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The day 
will be marked by awareness and educational events organized by eye 
care institutions and local patient support groups around the world.
  Glaucoma afflicts 3 million Americans and some 75 million people 
worldwide. Glaucoma can strike anyone of any age. It affects all age 
groups, including infants, children, and the elderly. Congenital 
glaucoma and childhood glaucoma are serious pediatric medical problems. 
With early diagnosis and treatment, 90 percent of the blindness from 
glaucoma could have been avoided. World Glaucoma Day encourages all 
individuals, especially those with a high risk for developing the 
disease, to get regular comprehensive eye examinations.
  In my district, on March 11, 2009 Dr. Robert Ritch and a dozen eye 
specialists from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEE) were at the 
United Nations (UN) headquarters building screening UN officials such 
as the Secretary General, as well as ambassadors and deputy ambassadors 
from over 192 countries for glaucoma. Hopefully, publicity from this 
effort will help to prompt people around the world to get screened for 
glaucoma.-
  Early diagnosis and proper treatment of glaucoma can help people keep 
the precious gift of sight. Glaucoma has no symptoms and is 
characterized by painless, progressive loss of vision, so that 
detection depends upon periodic eye examinations that include 
evaluation of the optic nerve and measurement of eye pressure. If 
undetected and untreated, glaucoma will gradually claim all peripheral 
vision and ultimately cause total blindness. While treatment can halt 
the progress of the disease, nothing can reverse damage that has been 
done, making early detection critical.
  People at high risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined for 
the disease at least every two years. High-risk individuals include 
people with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans over the 
age of 40, people who are very nearsighted or farsighted and all 
persons over the age of 60.
  The NYEE has been a driving force in combating glaucoma in increasing 
the number of New Yorkers who are screened. Founded in 1820, NYEE is 
the oldest specialty hospital in the Western Hemisphere. The NYEE has a 
long tradition of community outreach, medical education, and cutting-
edge scientific research. It is home to many glaucoma specialists, 
including world-renowned glaucoma specialist Dr. Robert Ritch. Dr. 
Ritch is a co-founder of the World Glaucoma Patient Association, an 
umbrella organization which supports glaucoma associations and networks 
worldwide in their efforts to educate and support their members so that 
all people with glaucoma can understand and better manage their 
disease. Dr. Ritch is also a member of the World Glaucoma Day committee 
for the World Glaucoma Association.
  I also ask my colleagues to recognize another World Glaucoma Day 
sponsor, the Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, a non-
partisan organization whose purpose is to educate all communities about 
the risks of glaucoma and other blindness-causing eye diseases, and to 
provide diagnostic screening opportunities for high-risk population 
groups across the nations.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me 
in recognizing World Glaucoma Day, and the urgent need to ensure that 
everyone is regularly screened for glaucoma.

                          ____________________