January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease that affects many older Americans.

"A recommended annual screening to check eye pressure with a dilated exam takes about an hour and costs around 100.00," says an Atlanta vision care technician. "It's also covered by most insurance plans."

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. The disease is much more common among older people. Those aged 60 years or older are six times more likely to get glaucoma. Moreover, among African-American and Hispanic populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.  And if you have diabetes, you may be three times more likely to get the disease.

Over 4 million Americans, and nearly 70 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. Free booklets with information about glaucoma can be ordered by clicking here. 

The following centers throughout metro Atlanta offer glaucoma screenings:

Haywood Eye and Vision Care, LLC
721 Wellness Way
Suite 210
Lawrenceville GA 30045
(678) 442-1161

Hill's Eye Clinic
4171 Snaffinger Woods Drive
Decatur GA 30035
(404) 284 8288

Emory Eye Center
1365 Clifton Road NE
CLINIC B – OPHTHALMOLOGY, SUITE 3500
Atlanta GA 30322
(404) 778-2020

OMNI Eye Services
5505 Peachtree Dunwoody
Suite 300
Atlanta GA 30342
(404) 257 0814

EYE CONSULTANTS OF ATLANTA
Piedmont Hospital, 95 COLLIER RD STE #3000
Atlanta GA 30309
(404) 351-2220

Woolfson Eye Institute
Locations throughout metro Atlanta 866-527-3722

Clayton Eye Center/The Glaucoma Center
1000 Corporate Center Dr. #100
Morrow GA 30260
(770) 968-8888

ROBERT GOETZINGER, MD
131 SW UPPER RIVERDALE RD
Riverdale GA 30274
(770) 994-9913

Premier Eye Physicians
3890 Redwine Rd. Ste# 212
Atlanta GA 30331
(404) 349-1115

Blue Laser Group
651 South Milledge Avenue
Athens GA 30605
(706) 546-9290

1531 Park Hill Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 536-4200