A Blind Eye to Prevention

New York Sun ^

[lward99]

A Blind Eye to Prevention By DIANA FURCHTGOTT-ROTH October 22, 2007 Manhattan resident Debora Grobman, a former federal prosecutor and white-collar criminal defense lawyer, had no idea that she was gradually going blind. But in 2006 a routine eye exam revealed that she was suffering from glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease. Her future vision is now dependent on laser surgery — she had one operation last year and may have another — and a daily regimen of five different types of eye drops. Last week Ms. Grobman spoke at a Washington D.C. conference sponsored by the Glaucoma Foundation and the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and appealed for more people to get tested. "Ninety percent of glaucoma-caused blindness could have been prevented through early detection and treatment," she declared. The conference was held in response to findings by a federally-appointed panel that found, despite the experience of Ms. Grobman and numerous others, "insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening adults for glaucoma." The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which reports to the Department of Health and Human Services, is an independent panel that makes recommendations about ways to keep people healthy.

[lward99]

This is what we get when we leave the Federal Government in charge of science and our health care.

[Resolute Conservative]

My dad, a retired airline pilot, has started fighting glaucoma. I sit behind a computer all day coding and I can tell the hit my eyes have taken over the last 4-5 years.

[lward99]

I know exactly what you mean. Staring at these screens all day long cant be good!

[Coldwater Creek]

There is no know cause for the disease. My husband was blind from glaucoma for the last 15 years of his life. He died of cancer in July, and can now see perfectly.

[Resolute Conservative]

Amen.