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Blacks respond better to
laser treatment for glaucoma
Glaucoma, the devastating dis
ease which can cause irreversible
vision loss, develops earlier and
more often, and progresses more
rapidly in blacks than in whites.
Now researchers are discovering
there also is a need for racial
sensitivity astohow the diseaseis
treated.
“We're finding that glaucoma
may be adifferent diseasein people
of African descent requiring more
aggressive therapies,” says Kevin
C. Greenidge, M.D., chairman of
the department of Ophthalmol
ogy at the SUNY Health Science
Center at Brooklyn and a board
member of The Glaucoma Foun
dation. “Our main aim is to lower
the pressure buildup within the
eye to slow the progression of the
disease and save sight.”
Glaucoma is a group of diseases
that can lead to damage of the
eye’s optic nerve and loss of vi
sion. In many cases, glaucoma
occurs when the normal fluid pres
surein the eye increases. If glau
coma is not detected and treated,
Baldinos celebrates 25 years
with donation to Cancer Society
AUGUSTA
n celebration of Baldino’s
25" anniversary, every
Baldinos Sup Shop will dis
count subs up to $2 off and donate
an additional $1 to the American
Cancer Society for every sub sold
on Saturday, June 10.
Toby Mahan is director of Op
erations and is a Baldinos owner.
He is a testament to how those
dollars raised are helping people
beat the odds and survive cancer.
Toby was diagnosed with cancer
this past year, but he is beating
the odds.
Your support on June 10 will
make his story even more com
mon. Your dollars will continue
the research effort and help thou
sands live a full and prosperous
life.
Each day more than 1,500
people die from cancer. It’s the
second leading cause of death in
the U.S. One of every four deaths
are from cancer. The five-year
survival rate, for all cancers com
bined is 59 percent.
AMBUCS presents
modified tricycles for
special ed students
Augusta’s special education stu
dents will benefit from a new pro
ject initiated by the Augusta
Chapter of AMBUCS. Earlier this
month, AMBUCS presented 12
Amtrykes to officials of the Rich
mond County School District for
use in special education class
rooms. The unique project shows
the results when education-civic
business sectors work together for
‘the common good.
MCG Offers Class on Cholesterol
The Medical College of Geor
gia Family Medicine Center will
be offering a class on “Under
standing Cholesterol” on June
16% 12 noon - 1:00p.m. The
Medical Villa Pharmacy
1520 LANEY-WALKER BLVD.
AUGUSTA, GA 30901
”; e . We Take Georgia Medicaid
| A g We Take Insurance Plans
| o z CreditCardsWelcome
? | wire MEDICAL VILLA
SAVER PHARMACV.
Ll ! LANEY-WALKER BLVD.
| ookas] /| e
b 6! '
; ) ‘ Theonly Black
U S, owned pharmacy in the CSRA
Marshall Curtis .
Pharmacist/Owner e
722-7355 ¢
!? | Fax your news to Augusta
78" Focus at 724-8432
it can result in blindness.
According to The Glaucoma
Foundation, at least three million
Americanshave glaucoma. About
half don’t even know they have
the disease because usually there
are no early symptoms. People of
African descent are especially at
risk: one in 13 has glaucoma,
blacks are four to six times more
likely to develop glaucoma than
whites, it occurs earlier in life,
develops faster and more fre
quently results in blindness.
In its early stages, glaucoma is
usually treated with daily eye
dropstolowertheintraocular pres
sure. In some patients, however,
the beneficial effect of the drops
lessens and surgery is required.
Recentresearch from the National
Institutes of Health provides evi
dence that black and white pa
tients with advanced glaucoma
respond differently to two surgi
cal treatments: blacks do better
on a regimen that starts with
laser surgery, while whites ben
efit more from an operation called
a trabeculectomy.
The American Cancer Society
has a toll-free information hotline,
staffed 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, by trained cancer infor
mation specialists: 1-800-ACS
-2345. Their web site is
WWW.cancer.org.
For 25 years, Baldinos Giant
Jersey Subs has been serving
great subs and serving the com
munities in which they do busi
ness. In addition to sponsoring
the March of Dimes for the past
15 years, Baldinos has given to
many local charitieswhenever the
need arises. This coming June 10,
Baldinos is celebrating their 25%
Anniversary and, once again, cre
ating a “win, win, win” situation
by giving to their customers, their
charity, and their restaurant own
ers. Other participating Baldinos
in Georgia are: Savannah,
Doraville, Marietta, Hephzibah
and Garden City.
Be sure to visit the two local
Baldinos at 3336 Wrightsboro
Road in Augusta, and 2760-E To
bacco Road of Hephzibah.
Amtrykes, special adapted tri
cycles, cost about SSOO each, and
were funded by donations from
area businesses and individuals.
The Amtrykes were the first to be
presented in Augusta.
Joe Copeland, national execu
tive director of AMBUCS, at
tended the local presentation
along with local school officials
and several students.
video-based class will include a
question and answer session.
For more information, call the
MCG Health Care Referral Cen
ter at 706-721-CARE.
Inhisown practiceand in train
ing student physicians at SUNY,
Dr. Greenidge often uses a two
step approach — laser, then con
ventional surgery —totreat black
patients with advanced disease.
“Fortunately, studies suggest that
a significant number of patients
with advanced glaucoma can be
stabilized iftreatment is appropri
ately aggressive,” he says.
In addition, the glaucoma spe
cialist also uses anti-metabolic
medication at the time of surgery
to prevent scar tissue from form
ing. Scarringis more prevalentin
patients of African descent.
Research and education are the
focal points of Dr. Greenidge’s
work, and heis committed to alert
ing both fellow professionals and
the public about the high preva
lence of glaucoma and the need
for earlydetection and timely treat
ment. Says Dr. Greenidge, “The
best weapon wehave against glau
coma is public awareness.”
Urging everyone to get a com
prehensive eye exam on a regular
apartment community for senior citizens
sponsored by Walton Rehabilitation Hospital and HUD
Taking applications now for a 40 unit apartment complex
¢ All apartments are ground level
o All apartments are one bedroom
¢ Handicap accessible apartments available
* Rentis based upon income
o Apartments include a full kitchen and bathroom and have
washer and dryer connections
¢ On-site Manager
Community building with room featuring a full kitchen
for social activities or family gatherings.
For more information or an application call:
722.0916
hUd % WALTON COMMUNITY SERVICES
Equal Housing Opportunity NN A comtinssm of Wilson Rehabilisarion Fospisal
NEWS| Fax your news to Augusia
?Tg Focus at 724-8432
y
we haven't moved...but we have a new address.
Welcome I
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to Aiken Regional Medical Centers' new website ... s& ‘ Py 1
where visiting hours are at your convenience! Now A% ‘ 1A L .
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you can discover all the benefits our hospital offers without T it ‘3( v -
even leaving home. Our new website has it all, whether you . L th’l ‘
need an expert cardiologist, family-centered obstetrical 'v SRS e
services, or information on health classes and programs. A| Ny — e
s" ; Ou can even ¢ w e 3 . o 1 il
P e-mail us directly oo f
i :. from our web
. site...a quick, ‘
e ey www.aiken regional.com is your source for information
, the s.p:imfic : on Aiken Regional's wide variety of advanced medical serv
b ¢ ;
) ! e lond' ices; a comprehensive physician directory; a community
] L ou need!
‘ /)‘tm, ,4”0""“ h " calendar; classes and upcoming events; support groups;
"/ -;;,. hat . maps; job postings; and special services such as our Senior
: - b Wellness program. ‘
Be sure to visit us at our new address: g
www.aikenregional.com R SN TR
The Health Choice
basis to detect this “sneak thief of
sight” early, Dr. Greenidge says
everyone should get their eyes
tested every twoyears. “If youare
over 45 and of African descent, or
if you have any of these risk fac
tors—family history ofglaucoma,
nearsightedness, diabetes, a pre
vious eye injury or regular use of
cortisone/steroid products — get
your eyes tested every year,” he
said.
In a painless, comprehensive
exam, the eye care professional
will check the fluid pressure in
the eyes, determine how well you
see at various distances, dilate
your pupil with drops to inspect
your optic nerve for signs of dam
age and, if needed, measure your
visual field to see if you've lost
side vision.
For free information about glau
coma, including personal answers
to questions, call The Glaucoma
Foundation toll free at 1-800-
GLAUCOMA (1-800-452-8266) or
visit the web site at
www.glaucoma-foundation.org.
AUGUSTA FOCUS
Angelflight can help with
medical air transport
Angelflighthelpsthosein need
of air transportation to a medi
cal facility who otherwise sim
ply would not be able to go.
Volunteer pilots and non-pilots
fly children and adults to medi
cal facilities who are willing to
help. There is never a charge to
anyone for anything. Pilots use
their own planes or rent one to
help. It is a blessing to help
another person who can’t help
himself! Contact the office at:
(770) 452-7958 or visit the web
page at: http:/
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RSN
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= i & ‘d” e :
Serving Clearwater the finest variety of fresh seafood '
Midland Valley Shopping Centier « Clearwater, S.C. “
‘Open Wednesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.,
Lunch Buffet 10:30a.m.-2:00p.m.55.99 . =
Oysters * Scallops ¢ Shrimp « Fish & Much More
Seafood Palace caters any special event:
Weddings, church events, family reunions and
private parties
Looking for variety in breakfast? Try our new
Saturday morning All You Can Eat Breakfast
_ Buffet, 7 a.m. -11 a.m. .
Introductory price of $3.99!
——————— COoUPON-——— —— — —
| All You Can Eat o
Seafood Buffet
Friday and Saturday,
~ & p.m. - Closing
$11.99
JUNE 8, 2000
www.angelflight.com.
Patient flight and inquiry in
formation can be directed to
Angelfltok@aol.com or (918) 749-
8992. : ,
People are welcome to come
by the office at the Peachtree
DeKalb Airport in Chamblee or -
call for directions at (770) 452-
7958. There are plenty of Angel
Flightitemsfor sale. Theymake
great gifts!! If you have a group
that might like to hear about
Angelflight, please contact the
office to arrange for a speaker.
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