Before January ends as National Glaucoma Awareness Month, it's a great time to focus on eye health. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, affecting more than 4 million Americans, according to national health studies. Most people do not even realize they have the condition.

Each year, more than 46,000 Missourians suffer from glaucoma, but roughly half do not know they are afflicted due to lack of access to, or the resources for, regular eye exams. However, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation provides complimentary Healthy Vision Screenings to seniors, helping to slow down or even halt this degenerative disease. Free vision screenings were held Jan. 13 at the Route 66 Senior Center in Eureka this month, for example.

Additional vision screenings can be scheduled by business managers, church staffs and nonprofit organizational coordinators through Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation staffers by calling (800) 283-1982, extension 112.

Glaucoma is most common in adults over age 40. It causes progressive damage to the optic nerve and often is related to fluid pressure in eyes. Left undetected or untreated, glaucoma causes loss of side vision and possibly all sight. Opthalmologists indicate prompt diagnosis and treatment is vital to preserving vision.

It's also a good time to donate no longer needed glasses

More donated glasses have been in sight locally during this month as well. Ever wonder what happens to the eye glasses donated to the collection boxes sponsored by the West St. Louis Lions Club? Are the glass or metal parts recycled, or are the sets used in their entirety somehow?

Glasses in their entireties are placed through mission groups, said Nicole Plegge, public relations specialist for the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation. She said 60,000 to 80,000 sets of glasses are passed on through the foundation's recycling program each year from the Columbia, MO, headquarters.

"You wouldn't believe some of the stories we hear about the differences the donated glasses make in others' lives," she said.

A Lions Club collection box is offered in the lobby of the Wildwood Family YMCA, as well as one of the entrances at Dierbergs in Wildwood.

Editor's Note:  I just donated three pairs of glasses at the collection box at the Route 66 Senior Center.

Another group that collects no longer needed glasses for the Lions Club International is The Clarkson Eyecare Foundation, with a collection box at their Clarkson Eyecare Wildwood and Eureka locations. A donation tax receipt is available at the box. Those donated glasses benefit underprivileged individuals in the St. Louis metropolitan community and beyond.

See related article:  Free Eye Screenings Predict Sight Thief