Family History of Eye Disease Dramatically Increases Your Risk for Blindness, So Find Out Your History During Family Gatherings this Summer
Eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma can run in families. In fact, people who have a family member with glaucoma are four to nine times more likely to be stricken by this leading cause of blindness.
Being armed with your family medical history is a key component in preventing vision loss from genetic eye disease. That’s why the American Academy of Ophthalmology and EyeCare America encourage all Americans to discuss their eye health history with family members. Family reunions and other summer gatherings offer a great opportunity to share this important information.
“Many people don’t know if eye diseases run in their family,” said Richard P. Mills, M.D., M.P.H., chairman of EyeCare America. “Family gatherings are a great time to find out if eye diseases run in your family. Having this valuable information can help you and your ophthalmologist – an eye medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery – to take the appropriate steps to minimize your risk and save your sight.”
Take the following steps during family visits:
- Ask family members if they have an eye disease.
- Tell family members of any eye disease you have yourself.
- Go to www.eyecareamerica.org to see if you or your family members qualify for a free eye exam, and then share any family history of eye disease with your ophthalmologist.
Along with knowing family history of eye disease, eye exams are a critical tool to catch eye diseases early and prevent vision loss. EyeCare America offers free or no-out-of-pocket cost eye exams to qualifying individuals age 65 and older. The organization matches eligible patients with an ophthalmologist in their area who will provide a comprehensive eye examination.
To find out if you qualify for a free eye exam by a local ophthalmologist, visit the online referral center at www.eyecareamerica.org.