Understanding Glaucoma from the Inside Out

A Guidebook for Patients and Physicians*

 

Glaucoma Facts



Do you know that

  1. -the average age of diagnosis is 65, but you can get glaucoma at any age

  2. -African Americans are 5 times more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasians

  3. -you don’t have to have high pressure inside your eye to have glaucoma

  4. -a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to evaluate whether you have glaucoma

  5. -people with a family history of glaucoma are at greater risk

  6. -the best way to prevent vision loss is to be diagnosed early

 
 

I, Christine, have glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. It primarily affects those over 65, but it can manifest at any age. Because it is usually painless, many people don’t know they have it. Using the stories shared in a large number of interviews with people from all ages and walks of life, Understanding Glaucoma (Vanderbilt University Press) documents many and varied perspectives on having glaucoma, along with selected physician commentaries. Giving hope, comfort, and information to people with the condition, this book also presents for the first time ever an insider understanding of what it’s like to live with the disease. Partial funding for the writing of this book comes from a Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association fellowship, and it is supported by the Glaucoma Research Foundation.


Interviews for the book are currently being completed and writing is underway. Approximately 45 individuals graciously agreed to share their stories, helping provide many different perspectives on what it is like to live with this disease.

Description

*Formerly called “Losing Sight, Gaining Vision: People Living with Glaucoma”

Read also about Christine’s new book, So Far Away.

Learn More

Read an interview about Understanding Glaucoma on Senior Care 101.


I have written something about my own experience with glaucoma--see my article in the British Medical Journal.

Want to learn more? Christine spoke about the book at Wills Eye’s CARES conference in Philadelphia.