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Glaucoma's lack of symptoms presents challenge Free glaucoma screening A free glaucoma screening will be held on Friday,  Jan. 21 at the Storm Eye Institute. To make an appointment for the screening, call MUSC Health Connection at  792-1414. With lost eyesight from glaucoma affecting South Carolinians' quality of life, Alexander Kent, M.D., Storm Eye Institute, and the South Carolina Coordinator of the Glaucoma 2001 Project, urge health care providers to take a more active role in encouraging their patients to get regular dilated eye exams.   “Dilated eye exams should be made a routine part of health maintenance,” Kent said. “Glaucoma has no early warning signs of possible vision loss. So by the time people realize they are losing vision, the vision they have already lost is gone forever. That is why those at risk for glaucoma need to get regular dilated eye examinations to help detect this blinding eye disease.”   January is the Eye Care America Glaucoma Project Month, and the Storm Eye Institute, along with the South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology, the National Eye Institute and 32 other organizations, are highlighting the importance of good vision and eye care.   “A dilated eye exam, in which drops are placed in the eye to dilate the pupils, is the best way to detect glaucoma. It allows the eye care professional to obtain a better view of the eye's optic nerve to look for early signs of glaucoma,” Kent said. “With treatment, glaucoma usually can be controlled and remaining vision can be protected.”    In many people, glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eye progressively increases, leading to optic nerve damage and reduced peripheral (side) vision. As the disease worsens, the field of vision gradually narrows and blindness may result. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States and affects about three million Americans.   “Up to one-half of this number may be unaware they have the disease,” said  Carolyn Cavanaugh, R.N., patient educator at Storm Eye Institute. “Higher risk population groups are everyone older than 60, blacks older than 40 and people who have a family history of glaucoma. These people need to receive a dilated eye exam at least every two years.”   If glaucoma is detected and treated early in its progression, it can usually be slowed and serious vision loss can be delayed.    “People at risk for glaucoma often presume that if their vision is fine, there is no need to be concerned,” said Carl Kupfer, M.D., director of the National Eye Institute, one of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health. “It is only when they notice vision loss that they take action. And while steps can be taken to preserve remaining vision, such as with eye drops or laser surgery, vision already lost from glaucoma is lost forever.”   Individuals interested in a free brochure, “Don't Lose Sight of Glaucoma,”  can obtain one by calling Cavanaugh at 792-4735 or by writing to Glaucoma, 2020 Vision Place, Bethesda, MD, 20892-3655.