"The New Normal" With states at various stages of opening up, doctors are also beginning to reopen their offices and see patients. Due to COVID-19, many glaucoma patients have missed their regular appointments to test for progression. And, as anyone who has recently made an office visit knows, it’s a “new normal”. New protocols are in place to limit exposure. Everything has had to be considered, from pre-appointment contacts and check-in procedures to screen for potential COVID-19 symptoms (e.g. taking the patient’s temperature
TGF News
Patient Spotlight – Christine DiSomma
[caption id="attachment_2049" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Christine and her daughter Claudia[/caption] In 2017, Christine DiSomma was diagnosed with glaucoma. This is her story. I had never been to an optometrist/ophthalmologist before. What drew me to go see the doctor was trouble reading, and I was experiencing red eyes. Honestly, I just thought I needed reading glasses. When the doctor did my eye exam, he
A Message from our President & CEO
A Message from TGF's President & CEO, Elena Sturman Glaucoma is a disease that affects different ethnic groups in different ways. People of African descent develop the disease at about four times the rate of people of European ancestry. While we understand there are biological reasons for these disparities, we recognize that our well-being is profoundly impacted by our economic
Glaucoma and COVID-19
Addressing Patient Care Concerns During the COVID-19 Crisis Robert D. Fechtner, MD Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY Several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that certain precautions have worked in terms of “stopping the spread.” Social distancing works. Washing one’s hands frequently, including before and after instilling eye drops, not touching
Join Us On May 5th For #GivingTuesdayNow
My staff and our Board of Directors join me in sending you our best wishes for your health and safety. I am always amazed to see how our communities find ways to unite and overcome adversity. In response to the many challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world will come together on May 5th in a global day of
COVID 19 – A Message from Elena Sturman, President and CEO of The Glaucoma Foundation
During this health crisis, we want to stay in touch. Here’s some helpful information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. · When a sick person coughs or talks, virus particles can spray into another’s face. While you are most likely to inhale those droplets through your mouth or nose, they can also enter through your eyes. · You can also
POSTPONED – The Research of Tomorrow, Today
Regretfully, in light of public health concerns related to COVID-19, we have decided to postpone our Educational Seminar “The Research of Tomorrow, Today”. We have been monitoring the situation closely. As you know, the Governor of New York has declared a state of emergency and the Mayor of New York City is advising people to avoid gatherings of large
Protect Your Eyes This Winter
Guard Against Dry Eye Heaters and dry wind can aggravate dry eyes during the winter months. Dry eye syndrome, particularly common among older adults, is mostly caused by a deficiency in the tear glands, and a common preservative in many glaucoma medications can worsen the symptoms. The main treatment for relief is the use of lubricating artificial tears, available as
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma is a major global health problem - a leading cause of blindness worldwide. TGF advocates for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of glaucoma, and more and better treatment options. As many as half of people who have glaucoma do not yet know it. This is why annual eye exams are so important. Early detection is key. Regular eye exams
Sleep and Glaucoma
Did you know that people with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are more likely to develop glaucoma than those who do not have this sleep disorder? According to some studies, people suffering from OSAS, which is characterized by episodes of paused and shallow breathing during sleep, are up to ten times more likely to develop glaucoma. While intraocular pressure (IOP)