January 14, 2004

Free Glaucoma Screenings Scheduled

Davenport, IA - As the most common cause of preventable blindness in persons over age 50, glaucoma is often termed the "sneak thief of sight." That's why Davenport Eye Group will be offering free glaucoma screenings during National Glaucoma Awareness Month.

The free glaucoma screenings will be held Friday, January 16, from 1:30 - 4 p.m. in Medical Office Building II, 1230 East Rusholme Street, Suite 203, Davenport, on the Genesis East Campus. Appointments are not necessary.

Ophthalmologists, Tina Eckhardt, M.D., R. Josef Hofmann, M.D., Ashok Penmatcha, M.D. and Siv Brit Saetre, M.D will perform the brief, painless test, which involves measurement of intraocular pressure of the eye. "Glaucoma, when diagnosed and treated in its early stage, is successful in the vast majority of persons and no vision is lost," states ophthalmologist R. Josef Hofmann, M.D. "Like a thief in the night, glaucoma steals vision slowly with no noticeable symptoms," Hofmann added. "That's why early detection of this common eye disease is extremely important."

For more information about free screenings, call Davenport Eye Group at 563-322-0923.

Genesis Health System and its affiliates offer a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health; hospice; rehabilitation; and long-term care. Its affiliates include Genesis Medical Center, Illini Hospital, DeWitt Community Hospital, Genesis Medical Education Foundation, Visiting Nurse Association and GenVentures Inc. Serving a 10-county area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Health System also operates Genesis Health Group and Genesis Behavioral Resources. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.