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Edwin Marshall, OD, MS, MPH, FAAO,
FNAP, NOA Executive Liaison and Professor Emeritus of Optometry and Public Health
at Indiana University. |
ENVISION MINORITY HEALTH
By Dr. Edwin Marshall
April was National Minority Health Month, which began as National Negro Health Week in 1915 when Booker T. Washington proposed the observance to acknowledge the importance of health to economic progress and equity. African-American newspapers, churches, businesses and professional associations played central roles in energizing the movement. Today, the U.S. Office of Minority Health is the lead agency advancing health equity through the theme of "Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation."
Racial and ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately on many measures of ill health compared to whites and are often victims of disparities that exist outside of the health care system, including disparities in income, education and housing. Much of the health emphasis has been and continues to be rightfully on eliminating disproportionate morbidity from such conditions as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and infant mortality. However, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans are also burdened, often unknowingly, with increased risks for sight-threatening conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and hypertensive retinopathy. A survey from Transitions Optical indicated only 44 percent of African-Americans and
34 percent of Hispanic Americans and Native Americans understand their
race and ethnicity could place them
at increased risk for certain eye conditions.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness. It is a group of diseases that can damage the optic nerve (the bundle of nerve fibers that transmit visual information from the eye to the brain) and lead to permanent vision loss. Blind spots usually begin in the periphery and slowly progress centrally. Glaucoma often has no early symptoms or warning signs and may go unnoticed until it has progressed to permanent vision loss. Anyone can get glaucoma, but African-Americans 40 years of age and older, everyone over the age of 60, especially Hispanics, and those with a family history of glaucoma are particularly vulnerable to this "silent thief of sight." At least half of the people with glaucoma do not know they have the potentially blinding disease.
Diabetic eye disease is a serious complication of diabetes. It refers to a group of conditions that include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract. Diabetic retinopathy - a leading cause of blindness in U.S. adults - results when the small blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye) are damaged by diabetes, causing them to leak fluid or grow abnormally. The risk increases the longer the person has diabetes. Like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy often has no early symptoms; only about half of the people are aware they have it. Hispanic Americans 50 years of age and older, African-Americans, Native Americans and older adults with diabetes are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy. The number of cases is expected to increase by almost 50 percent by 2030. The greatest increases are expected to occur in Hispanic Americans and African-Americans, with increases of 142 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
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ICO COMMENCEMENT
Dr. Millicent Knight, NOA Member
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| NOA Member, Dr. Millicent Knight |
Dr. Millicent Knight will be the Illinois College of Optometry's commencement speaker on May 21, 2016. She is an esteemed ICO graduate with a wealth of knowledge to share with her new cohorts.
Dr. Knight
began her career in a hospital-based ophthalmology and optometry practice at a level one trauma center. She worked in private practice for nearly 25 years where she had been the owner of two optometric practices.
Currently, Dr. Knight holds the position, Head of Professional Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, North America. In addition to the privilege of being the commencement speaker, Dr. Knight will receive the third-ever Joseph L. Henry Achievement Award.
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Dr. Frank Barnes, Jr., NOA Regional Trustee and Dr. Tanya L. Carter
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IT'S HEALTHY VISION MONTH
Make Your Eye Health a Priority
More than 23 million Americans age 18 and older have never had an eye exam, according to a national survey conducted by the
National Eye Institute
(NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The reason: Most say they don't think they have an eye problem. In fact, people may have an eye disease and not have symptoms, so without an eye exam, they may not know there is a problem. They may be busy, on the go, and caring for their family, but
it is important that everyone makes time to take care of themselves. During Healthy Vision Month, held each May, NEI reminds everyone to make their eye health a priority and encourages everyone to take five important steps to protect their sight.
Get a dilated eye exam.
Getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to know if your eyes are healthy and you are seeing your best. Talk to your eye care professional about how often you should have one. If you want to see what your eye care professional sees during a dilated eye exam, check out NEI's
new eye
exam animation
!
Live a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions, and not smoking can lower your risk of eye disease. You've heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.
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HEART DISEASE: #1 KILLER OF WOMEN
Healthy Lifestyle Changes Lead to
Lower
Heart Disease Risk
When you hear the term,"heart disease" what's your first reaction?
Like many women, you may think, "That's a man's disease." Here is The Heart Truth®: Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. One in four women dies of heart disease. For African American women, the risk of heart disease is especially great. Heart disease is more prevalent among black women than white women-as are some of the factors that increase the risk of developing it, including high blood pressure, being overweight, obesity, and diabetes.
There's good news too; you can take action and lower your chance of developing heart disease and its risk factors. In fact, women can lower their heart disease risk by as much as 82 percent just by leading a healthy lifestyle. "The Heart Truth" fact sheet gives steps you can take to protect your heart health.
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CHILD EYE INJURIES
Summer Brings Increase in Eye Injuries and Infections
As the school year comes to a close, children and adults alike will be spending more time being active and playing sports. Risks of eye injuries and infections increase during this time.
Educate your patients on the dangers of sports-related and recreational associated ocular risks such as blunt trauma injuries from bars or balls, as well as infections from the misuse of contact lenses during activities such as swimming.
For more information about protective eyewear for specific sports, visit the National Eye Institute Website at http://isee.nei.nih.gov/sports.
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VOLUNTEER IN THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY
Join NOA, VSP, HOYA & Plano Vision
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NOA Volunteers (2014 Convention)
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The National Optometric Association's 2016 convention will be held in downtown Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton hotel.
Attendees can look forward to a great conference, exceptional CE, networking opportunities and the ability to represent the NOA by
volunteering at our annual community service event.
Doctors will provide eye exams for families
on
Wednesday, July 6th
at the Plano Vision Center,
5401 S. Wentworth #14, Chicago, IL, 60609
. VSP will have its two-exam lane mobile van and four-exam lanes are available at the Plano Vision Center. Hoya will provide eyeglasses for those in need.
Eye exams will take place between 9am-3pm. Any hours you can volunteer would be greatly appreciated! Please complete the link above if you plan to be a volunteer Doctor at the event.
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