My Glaucoma Resource Center Brought to you by Alcon
"Telling my kids
that glaucoma can run in the family helped them - and me."
Talking to Your Son or Daughter - If you have glaucoma, they're at risk
Did you know that if you've been diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma, the risk that members of your immediate family will get glaucoma is four to nine times greater? And consider this: only half of those Americans who have glaucoma are aware of the fact. Because it often goes undetected, glaucoma remains a leading cause of preventable blindness.
That's why it's so important that you talk to your sons, daughters and siblings and encourage them to get screened. This simple act of caring can go a long way in getting them on the path to essential treatment, should they need it.

Talking tips

  • Reach out  Start by reaching out to your family for support with your own treatment. It can help you remember to take your medicines as prescribed. And having someone to talk to can be helpful in its own right.
  • They'll benefit, too  In supporting you with your treatment, your family members will be reminded themselves to pay attention to their own increased risk for the disease.
Talking to Your Son or Daughter - If you have glaucoma, they're at risk
  • The gift of vision  Think of it this way: talking to your loved ones about their risk for glaucoma is an expression of your concern about their health and happiness.
  • The silent thief  Remind your children and siblings that glaucoma has been called “the silent thief of sight,” since it produces no symptoms early on. Even if they “feel just fine,” getting screened is the right thing to do.
  • Emphasize the positives  Just because they are at greater risk doesn't mean they will ever get the disease. Remind them that early detection and treatment can help preserve vision.
  • Turn the tables  If they say, “I'll get to it one of these days,” ask them, “Would you be happy if I had said that to you?”
  • Everyone is at risk  Remind the people you care about that, even if they aren't at greater risk, all adults should get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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