[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a founding Member of the 
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus to recognize the importance of promoting 
awareness for the sight-stealing disease known as glaucoma. Glaucoma is 
the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States, which 
currently afflicts 2.2 million Americans and over 60 million people 
worldwide. In addition to affecting the elderly who are commonly at 
risk, glaucoma is especially prevalent in black and Hispanic 
communities. Blacks are 17 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma, 
compared to whites of similar age.
  Glaucoma, one of many eye diseases that can lead to blindness, is 
caused by damage to the optic nerve that sends images to the brain. The 
scariest aspect of this condition is that there are no perceivable 
symptoms or physical signs--hence referred to as the ``silent thief of 
sight.'' Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma yet.
  Fortunately, glaucoma can be treated early before it worsens by 
attending regular eye-screenings to detect symptoms. That is why the 
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, a bipartisan coalition since its 
founding in 2000, is dedicated to advocating awareness and treatment 
across America. Thanks to the subsequent creation of our active partner 
in the field, the Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus 
Foundation, 10,000 free annual treatments are conducted nationwide with 
a percentage referred to follow-up specialists. The Foundation was 
originally funded by private sector grants, but its success now garners 
funding from government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
  I encourage my fellow Americans to take advantage of free screenings 
provided by the Foundation across this great nation. In Congress, I 
will continue to fight potential budget cuts that would obstruct 
advances in medical research directed at finding a cure for glaucoma.

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