Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central vision loss in Americans age 50+. Although it affects white people more than blacks, a study in East Baltimore showed that AMD was the third leading cause of bilateral (both eyes) blindness in blacks after cataracts and glaucoma. Whatever the risk rate, it is important [...]

By Cheryl L. Dejewski Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for African Americans. In fact, Black Americans have a 6-8 times higher risk of developing glaucoma than whites, and a recent study found that one in five Black Americans age 75 and older has glaucoma. What exactly is glaucoma? It’s [...]

Diabetes is being diagnosed in epidemic numbers across all ages and races. This increase means a corresponding surge in complications related to the disease, including sight-robbing “diabetic retinopathy”—now the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. And, if you are black, you have a three times greater risk of losing vision to diabetes than a [...]

African-Americans seem to have nearly twice the risk of developing cataracts than do Caucasians. This difference may be due to other medical illnesses, particularly diabetes. African-Americans are also much more likely to become blind from cataracts and glaucoma than Caucasians, mostly due to lack of treatment. Despite this threat, most people don’t know the facts [...]

What is macular degeneration? “AMD is a condition in which the macula, a highly sensitive area of the retina responsible for central and detail vision (about the size of this “O”), is damaged. There are two forms of AMD. Both cause loss of central or straightahead vision (as needed for driving a car, reading fine [...]

By Cheryl L. Dejewski Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for African-Americans. In fact, black Americans have a 6-8 times higher risk of developing glaucoma than whites, and a recent study found that one in five black Americans age 75 and older has glaucoma. What exactly is glaucoma? It’s an [...]

Diabetes is being diagnosed in unprecedented numbers across all ages and races. This increased incidence means a corresponding increase in health complications related to the disease, including sight-robbing “diabetic retinopathy”—now the leading cause of blindness in Americans. And, if you are black, you have a three times greater risk of losing vision to diabetes than [...]

If you live long enough, you will probably develop one. In fact, six out of 10 people over age 60, and almost everyone over age 80 has one. Has what? A cataract. Despite this prevalence, most people don’t know the facts about cataracts until they come “eye-toeye” with one. Don’t let poor vision cloud your [...]

Eye Care Specialists utilize breakthrough procedure to save vision When Lois Rose, 80, of Racine was referred by her optometrist to Eye Care Specialists ophthalmology practice in the Milwaukee area, she had already been coping with “dry” age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both eyes for a number of years. “The macular degeneration was a gradual [...]

By Cheryl L. Dejewski & Carolyn Vescio Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., especially for African- Americans. In fact, black Americans have a 6-8 times higher risk of developing glaucoma than whites, and a recent study found that one in five black Americans age 75 and older has glaucoma. If you [...]