At the Kentucky Eye Institute you don't have to travel long distances for eye care, we have offices in central, southern, and eastern Kentucky. Each has free parking close by and all are wheelchair accessible. Making an appointment is simple. You can call the office nearest to you to make an appointment anytime Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

If you're one of the 1 million Americans who have been diagnosed with glaucoma ... Consider yourself lucky! You've been given the opportunity to preserve your vision, because vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if it is caught and treated in time. Many others are not so lucky. Almost 80,000 Americans are blind from glaucoma, and another million are at risk for vision loss because they don't know they have it. In fact, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the U.S., and the single most common cause of blindness among African-Americans.

Glaucoma is often called the "sneak thief" of sight because the most common type causes no symptoms until vision is already damaged. That's why the best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is to know your risk factors and have medical eye examinations at appropriate intervals. (Your ophthalmologist can help you determine how often you should have your eyes examined.)

The following is information regarding primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma:

• Glaucoma is a serious eye disease. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and blindness.
• Vision loss is usually preventable if glaucoma is detected early. There is no "cure" for glaucoma, but early detection and ongoing treatment can control the disease and usually preserve vision.
• Glaucoma usually has no symptoms until vision loss has occurred.
• Glaucoma is the second most common cause of legal blindness in the United States. It is the leading cause of blindness for African-Americans.
• Glaucoma is a chronic (ongoing) condition that requires lifelong monitoring and treatment. It is important for people with glaucoma to work with their eye doctor to find a treatment plan that is right for them.
• Approximately 2.5 million Americans have glaucoma, but one half may be unaware that they have a potentially blinding disease because they have no symptoms.
• Your eye doctor can use a series of painless tests and exams to check you for glaucoma. Other tests may be done if your eye doctor suspects you may have glaucoma.
• Treatment for glaucoma can include medication. The best treatment for each person is determined by a number of factors, including type and severity of glaucoma and the person's medical history and lifestyle.
• African-Americans, seniors, and those with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk for the disease and should have eye exams more often.
• Medications for glaucoma — even eye drops — can affect the whole body and may interact with other medications. It is very important for all your doctors to be aware of any medication you take