Contact Aesha Duval @ (340) 778-5900 or aesha.duval@mail.house.gov
Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen is pleased to announce that the Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation will offer free glaucoma screenings in the Virgin Islands next week.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness among Caribbean people. Those who are in particular risk for Glaucoma include blacks over the age of 40, individuals of Hispanic origin, senior citizens or anyone over the age of 60, people with a family history of glaucoma and persons with diabetes and/or high blood pressure. Christensen said unlike in previous years where glaucoma screenings have been done, the goal will be to follow up with patients who received abnormal results for at least a year.
“If detected early, glaucoma can be controlled and the risk of blindness can be reduced,” Congresswoman Christensen said. “I encourage residents to participate in these free screenings being offered on each island.”
The screening sites and times are:
St. Croix
Monday, October 5th, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
American Red Cross Building
6035 Castle Coakley
St. Thomas
Tuesday, October 6th, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7th, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Frederick Lutheran Church, Bethania Hall
St. John
Wednesday, October 7th, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
St. Ursula Multi-Purpose Center
Congresswoman Christensen will give remarks and participate in Monday’s opening on St. Croix.
The screenings were made possible through a partnership with the Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation, a non-profit organization, Creighton University and St. Croix Eye Group, Inc. The Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation supports the work of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus by offering free glaucoma/vision screenings to high risk groups and underserved populations in congressional districts around the country. The Foundation is supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control.
