Category: CAMDEN COUNTY

Bill Raroha, Vietnam War Army Veteran; Building Contractor; Audubon High Alum; Outdoorsman

The funny thing about the heart is a soft heart is a strong heart. Bill was a “sweet” heart. William G. Raroha was poignant, sensitive and thoughtful. He was just a big kid who loved spending time outdoors fishing and hunting. On Wednesday

January 1st, 2020 we all started something new. After 74 years, Bill had finished his life’s chores and headed out to sea. Along with his fishin’ pole he headed out to the ole fishin’ hole where every day is fishing for him.

Bill was born in Camden and spent his formative years in Audubon Park. He had graduated from Audubon High School, class of 1963 and had contributed to the manpower of our great nation, upholding the ideals of our American freedoms during Vietnam as a Sgt. in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge Bill made a career in siding and windows. He worked for John Jefferies and for himself for a number of years. Mr. Raroha finished his career at Fox-Co Roofing & Siding in Maple Shade.

Bill was an active participant and member of the Oaklyn VFP Post 4463 and the Oaklyn American Legion Post 84. At home, Bill tried his hand at taxidermy and worked restoring old houses. Bill had an uncanny eye for color pallets and an insatiable sweet tooth, especially for M&M’s and the Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Mr. Raroha will fondly be remembered as a loving and softhearted husband, father and friend. He is the widower of his first wife Ethel Colston Neuffer and is the loving husband of Diana (nee Brown) Raroha. He is the father of Eric & his wife Diane Raroha, Bill & his wife Tiffany Raroha, David & his wife Marianne Raroha, Susan & her husband Richard Nicolella, Tina & her husband John Risley, Beth Heal & her fiance Jimmy and Karen Warner (Chris). He is the proud grandfather of Jake & Josh Raroha, Cole & Chloe Raroha, Grace & Abbey Raroha, TJ (Brie) Nicolella, Isabelle Nicolella, Madison Accardi (John), Jacqui Accardi, Tyler and Kira Correll, Lauren and Robert Warner. He is also survived and will be sadly missed by his brothers; Duane (Denise), Steve Raroha and many other close family members, nieces, nephews and friends.

Relatives, friends and neighbors are invited to gather with the Raroha family to laugh at fishing stories, enjoy some sweets and share our heartfelt memories of Bill on Saturday morning between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes 400 White Horse Pike Oaklyn where a remembrance ceremony will begin at 12:00 pm. In honor of those who have sacrificed. In tribute to those who have fallen and in gratitude to those now serving, the United States Army will offer a military commemoration, immediately following, at the Camden County Veterans Cemetery 1640 Haddon Ave. Camden.

As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Redeemer Home Care 1801 Rt. 9 North, Swainton, NJ 08210

www.holyredeemer.com

or To the Oaklyn VFW Post 4463 5 Manor Ave. Oaklyn, NJ 08107. To share a heartfelt memory, please visit

www.crerancelebration.com

#crerancelebration #heartfelt

TWO NEW DETECTIVES JOINED THE CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

CAMDEN CITY NJ–On January 6, 2020, Andrew Austin and Kevin Long were sworn in as Special State Investigators/Acting Camden County Detectives for the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. Detective Andrew Austin began his law enforcement career as a Police Officer with the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware before joining the Camden County Sheriff’s Department in 2015.  Detective Kevin Long began his law enforcement career with the Camden County Police Department – Metro Division before later joining the Evesham Township Police Department in 2016.

Photographed here from left to right are Special Deputy Attorney General/Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ellen Murphy, Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer, Special State Investigator/Detective Kevin Long, Special State Investigator/Detective Andrew Austin, Special State Investigator/Acting Chief of Detectives Jeff Dunlap, and Chief of Staff Mike Mangold.

Rutgers Dental School Receives Funding to Expand Care for Patients With Disabilities

By Carrie Stetler

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine will get a $250,000 boost for the only dental clinic in the region that provides care to patients with disabilities and on the autism spectrum.

Glenn Rosivack, interim chair of the dental school\’s Department of Pediatrics, says there are many barriers to dental care for special-needs patients. Photo: John Emerson

The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) – which offers the only dental clinics in the region providing care to patients with disabilities –  will be able to treat more special-needs patients because of new state funding expected to receive final approval from Governor Murphy.

The bill, which would give RSDM $250,000, was introduced by state assemblyman Dan Benson (D-14) in the spring and overwhelmingly passed the state senate and assembly. The governor has 45 days to give final approval.

“We deeply appreciate all of those who recognize how important it is that everyone, without exception, have access to oral health care,” said Cecile A. Feldman, dental school dean who thanked supporters for these much-needed funds. “Additional resources mean that we can provide  care on a wider scale.’’

John Barnosky, the father of a special-needs patient who is on the autism spectrum, advocated strongly for funds to support RSDM’s Delta Dental of New Jersey Special Care Center, which trains dentists to work with patients who have disabilities.

“Disability can happen to anyone. It’s a bipartisan issue,’’ said Barnosky. “The approval of this bill shows that you can make a difference and be a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.’’

A severe shortage of special-needs dentists, and a booming population of patients with physical disabilities and behavioral disorders, has left special-needs providers at

RSDM

and beyond struggling to meet the demand.

The dental school, the largest oral health care provider in the state, logged 7,757special-needs patient visits in 2017. In New Jersey, more than 10 percent of the population has at least one disability, a figure that totals 911,300.

Nationwide, 48 percent of patients with disabilities had no dental check-up within a year, compared to 35 percent without disabilities, according to a 2016 study published in the

Journal of Public Health Dentistry.

Barnosky’s son, Peter, 28, can be combative during check-ups. Since so few dentists are willing to provide even routine treatment, like cleanings and fillings, he often had to wait months for a non-emergency visit at RSDM.

Many dental offices lack ramps for wheelchairs, doorways that are wide enough for gurneys to fit through and other accommodations.  But one of the greatest obstacles is dentists who lack training and experience. In addition to treating special-needs patients, RSDM trains all students to work with patients with disabilities.

According to Feldman, extra staffing and additional surgical resources to treat the many special care patients who need general anesthesia will greatly bolster RSDM’s clinical and educational mission.

Michelle Yampolsky and Matthew Gomez Married

Michelle Ness Yampolsky and Matthew Alfred Gomez were married Dec. 31 in New York. Cantor Laura Stein officiated at One Hanover Square, an events space.

The couple met at Rutgers, from which both graduated.

Ms. Yampolsky-Gomez, 29, is the senior marketing manager at Essence, a digital media agency in New York.

She is the daughter of Yana Fridman Yampolsky and Henry Yampolsky of Livingston, N.J. The bride’s father works in New York as a senior customer solutions manager in the financial services division of Amazon Web Services. Her mother is a director in the New York corporate and investment banking offices of Crédit Agricole, the French bank.

Mr. Gomez, 30, works in New York as a technical recruiter for YouTube, the video-sharing subsidiary of Google.

He is a son of Sharon Kapuscinski Gorman of Mount Ephraim, N.J., and Col. Alfred F. Gomez of Cinnaminson, N.J. The groom’s mother is a middle school language arts teacher at Somerdale Park School in Somerdale, N.J. His father is the director of the medical command at Fort Dix, overseeing the medical operations for the New Jersey Army National Guard.

source New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/

Camden City’s Renaissance

(Camden City, NJ) – A recent release of survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows positive trends for Camden City in key areas including poverty, educational attainment, employment and unemployment. The findings come as part of a new five-year population estimate produced by the Census Bureau using data derived from the American Community Survey (ACS).

Incremental improvements in each area signal broad quality of life enhancements for residents throughout the City and echo previous findings from state agencies and other reports.

“Change doesn’t happen overnight, but in findings like these we are seeing the very real snowballing effect of progressive policies put into place to better the lives of residents in the City,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “Our commitment remains on ending the crippling effects of decades-long poverty and economic stagnation in the city, and continuing Camden’s recent renaissance. We have a lot of work still to do, but this data makes clear that we are on the right track and headed in the right direction.”

The ACS produces estimates of select population characteristics for one- and five-year periods. Five-year estimates include data aggregated over a 60-month period and attempt to show the characteristics of the city over that entire stretch. While five-year estimates provide a less current snapshot of the City than one-year estimates released in September, they represent the most accurate data released by the ACS, with the lowest margin of error.

Among the most stunning trends to have been observed this decade is the surge in educational attainment among 18- to 24-year-olds in the City. From 2006 to 2010 approximately 68 percent of young adults in the City had graduated high school, earned their G.E.D., attended some college, or received an associate’s, bachelor’s or advanced degree. The most recent estimate shows this population achieving high school or better levels of education at a stunning 83.3 percent.

“Academic progress has been paramount to the changes in the Camden City School District over the last five years,” Superintendent Katrina McCombs said. “Ensuring all of our students and families are attaining a quality education and gaining access to advanced educational opportunities is our objective. This report underscores the progress being made in the classroom and throughout our district.”

The findings also show that those residents are having much more success at the conclusion of their education and when seeking employment. Despite the overall population of residents 16 and over decreasing since the period ending in 2013, the number of those employed has increased by more than 2,500. Over the same period, the number of unemployed residents dropped precipitously from more than 7,700 to fewer than 3,900. The City posted a 12.6 percent unemployment rate over the five years ending in 2018, a dramatic decline from the 24.4 percent reported from 2009 to 2013.

“Unparalleled collaboration and a holistic approach to revitalization is resulting in real progress in Camden,” said Camden Mayor Francisco Moran. “As a lifelong resident, I can assure you the transformation taking place in the city is extraordinary.  The results are tangible as the positive impact is being felt throughout the community.  The data indicates that Camden is making substantial gains as it relates to reducing poverty, improving academic outcomes and increasing employment prospects.  This kind of sustained progress has not been witnessed in decades.  These are all positive signs for our residents and indicators that the quality of life continues to improve.”

Throughout the city, a variety of factors have led to steadily improving conditions and decreases in the overall poverty rate. While declining slowly from its post-recession peak, the poverty rate in the city slid to 36.8 percent.

The American Community Survey is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of collecting detailed population and housing information. Data collected as part of the ACS is publicly available and can be found by visiting

www.data.census.gov

Rutgers-Camden women post non-conference win at Abington

ABINGTON, Penn. (Jan. 6, 2020) – The Rutgers University-Camden women’s basketball team scored the first nine points of its non-conference game here Monday night and went on to defeat Penn State University-Abington, 66-46.

The victory snaps the Scarlet Raptors’ four-game losing streak and lifts Rutgers-Camden to 6-5. The Nittany Lions fall to 3-6 with their third straight defeat.

Senior guard

Fatimah Williams

and freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

scored five and four points, respectively, as the Scarlet Raptors jumped off to their quick start. Although Abington closed its deficit to 12-11, the Lions never caught the Scarlet Raptors.

Rutgers-Camden held a 35-27 lead at halftime and opened its margin to 47-37 at the end of the third quarter.

Williams led all players with 20 points, shooting 8-for-19 from the floor (2-for-6 from three-point range) as she raised her career scoring total to 948 points. With 52 more points, she will become the 14th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.

Pitts notched 15 points and eight rebounds for the Scarlet Raptors, while sophomore guard/forward

Tamara Johnson

added 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Junior guard

Shane Holmes

dished off a game-high five assists and tied Williams for game-high honors with three steals.

Sophomore guard Lacy MacLachlin scored 13 points to lead the Nittany Lions, while senior guard Sydney Barrow added 10 points. Junior guards Ashya Gaddy and Iman Richmond both scored nine points, while collecting eight and seven rebounds, respectively.

Rutgers-Camden shot 38.1 percent (24-for-63) from the floor and held a 43-36 advantage off the boards. The Scarlet Raptors also had only 13 turnovers, while forcing 22 by the Nittany Lions.

Penn State-Abington shot only 15-for-49 from the floor (30.6).

The Scarlet Raptors play their first home game of the new year on Wednesday when they host Ramapo College in a 6 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference game.

Destin joins 1,000-point club during Raptors’ loss at GMU

GWYNEDD VALLEY, Penn. (Jan. 6, 2020) – Senior forward

Isaac Destin

became the 14th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point career milestone as the Rutgers University-Camden men’s basketball team pushed host Gwynedd Mercy University to the limit before falling, 78-73, in a non-conference game here Monday night.

In the men’s loss to Gwynedd Mercy, Isaac Destin (Woodlynne, NJ/Collingswood) joined the 1,000-point club

The loss drops the Scarlet Raptors to 4-7, while the Griffins improve to 9-4.

Destin became the first Scarlet Raptor to join the 1,000-point club since Dane Nicholson reached the milestone during the 2006-07 season. It didn’t take him long to join the lofty plateau, as he scored on a layup only 2:10 into the game to notch points 1,000 and 1001. That layup gave the Raptors a 4-3 lead.

The score remained close throughout the game as the Griffins built a 38-33 halftime lead and saw the Scarlet Raptors close to within one point, 65-64, on a foul shot by Destin with 4:57 remaining. A three-point play by Gwynedd-Mercy freshman guard Nathaniel Walker made it a 68-64 game, but Raptor junior guard

Arian Azemi

closed the game to 68-66 with a layup with 4:29 remaining.

A layup by Walker and a pair of foul shots by senior guard Jeff Seigafuse gave the Griffins a 72-66 lead with 3:07 remaining, but Raptor freshman forward

Dylan Trow

sliced that deficit in half with a trey. Moments later, Trow added a steal that led to a foul and a free throw by Azemi, making it a 72-70 game with 2:06 remaining.

Dunham followed with a pair of foul shots to make it 74-70, but Azemi answered with two free throws of his own, making it a 74-72 game with 1:07 remaining. In the final minute, Dunham’s layup gave Gwynedd Mercy a 76-72 lead before a free throw by Azemi sliced the gap to 76-73 with 37 seconds remaining.

When the Griffins missed a field goal attempt with 26 seconds remaining, Destin grabbed the rebound to give the Scarlet Raptors a chance for a late game-tying three-point attempt. The shot was off target, however, and the Griffins grabbed the rebound, were fouled and closed out their win with a pair of free throws by freshman guard Manny Clark.

Dunham paced the Griffins with 26 points, while Seigafuse notched 14 and senior forward Austin Harriott added 11. Dunham added four assists and a game-high six steals.

Rutgers-Camden placed five players in double digits, with Azemi scoring 18 and adding game-high totals of eight rebounds and seven assists. Trow scored 13, Destin netted 12 and both sophomore forward

Jake Petrik

and sophomore guard

Keysean Simmonds

added 11.

The Griffins shot 23-for-46 (50.0 percent) from the floor and held a 32-25 advantage off the boards. Rutgers-Camden was 26-for-56 (46.4) from the floor.

Destin, who earned a pair of NJAC Rookie of the Week honors as a freshman and captured NJAC Honorable Mention during his sophomore season, now owns 1,011 points (13.7 ppg) in 74 career games at Rutgers-Camden. He also has 473 rebounds for a 6.4 average.

Rutgers-Camden hosts Ramapo College in an 8 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference game Wednesday.

15 Remarkable Moments of the Decade at Rutgers

NEW BRUNSWICK NJ–Looking ahead to 2020 and a look back at some of the top moments of the past decade at Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. T

Eric LeGrand: From injury to inspiration

(2010)

Since Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed while making a tackle, he has devoted his life to learning to walk again, to raising funds for paralysis research and serving as an inspiration for anyone facing adversity.

Integration of UMDNJ to become RBHS

(2013)

A more comprehensive Rutgers University was born with the integration of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The milestone has advanced higher education and health care in New Jersey and approximately doubled the research enterprise of Rutgers.

Entrance into the Big Ten

(2014)

Participating in the Big Ten Conference has brought Rutgers greater national exposure for its athletes and increased academic prestige, including membership in the Big Ten Academic Alliance, a consortium of 14 world-class research universities.

Obama at Commencement

(2016)

President Barack Obama told the Class of 2016 that ignorance is not a virtue and urged graduates to have faith in democracy. The first sitting president to speak at a Rutgers commencement told students that the world is more interconnected than ever and he observed the country’s progress mirrors that of Rutgers: “America converges here,” he said, acknowledging the university’s diversity of people and thought.

Rutgers turns 250

(2016)

Rutgers celebrated its 250th anniversary – and its tradition of revolutionary teaching, research and service — with a yearlong celebration that included academic symposia, events, lectures, classes, speakers, concerts, books and films.

Scarlet and Black and reckoning with our history

(2016)

On its 250

th

anniversary, Rutgers undertook the Scarlet and Black Project, a historical examination of the experiences of African Americans and Native Americans at the university.

Scarlet and Black, Volume 1: Slavery and Dispossession in Rutgers History

traced the university’s early history, uncovering how it benefited from the slave economy and came to own the land it inhabits.  From these findings, the university took action to acknowledge its past,

dedicating three major landmarks

and pledging to continue to excavate the university’s history with race.

Rutgers Future Scholars first graduating class

(2017)

When the Class of 2017 graduated from Rutgers, Rutgers Future Scholars graduated its first class – 55 at Rutgers and 20 at other universities. Started in 2008, the program has prepared more than 1,800 low-income, first-generation students to attend college. Conceived when the university noticed that few students from its host communities were enrolling at Rutgers, the program sought to discover promising students and invest in their futures.

Rutgers Health/Barnabas partnership

(2017)

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers partnered to create the state’s largest academic health care system dedicated to providing high-quality patient care, research and education to advance health care in New Jersey. The venture enhances the delivery and accessibility of evidence-based health care across the state; boosts the recruitment of prominent academic, research and clinical practitioners; and strengthens the advancement of health science innovation and education.

Rutgers Dance Marathon

(2017)

In its 19th year, the Rutgers Dance Marathon surpassed its previous records by raising more than $1 million for Embrace Kids Foundation, which supports children with cancer and blood disorders and their caregivers.

C. Vivian Stringer’s 1,000

th

win

(2018)

C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers’ long-time women’s basketball coach, notched her 1,000th career victory, becoming the sixth women\’s head coach in NCAA history to join the 1,000 career victory club. Stringer is a basketball legend and was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Paul Robeson

(2019)

Rutgers marked the centennial anniversary of Paul Robeson\’s graduation from Rutgers College in 1919. In recognition, the university paid tribute to the pioneering scholar, athlete, actor, singer and global activist and dedicated an open-air plaza on Voorhees Mall to honor his legacy.

Wrestling national champs

(2019)

For the first time, Rutgers wrestling had two individual national champions (Nick Suriano and Anthony Ashnault) which helped the Scarlet Knights to their first ever top-10 team finish.

Schiano leaves/Schiano returns

(2011/2019)

Greg Schiano, who led Rutgers to new heights from 2001-11, returned as the head football coach of the Scarlet Knights. During his first stint, he directed the Scarlet Knights to six bowl appearances, coached 83 RU players who signed NFL contracts and guided the program to the top APR score in the nation.

Physical Transformation

(Multiple years)

Rutgers underwent a physical transformation with a range of new or improved facilities over the past decade, including a

revamped Livingston campus

, new

Engineering

,

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

and

Business School

buildings, the

Honors College

, the

Food, Nutrition and Health Institute

, the

New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

, the

Rutgers Academic Building

, the

RWJ Barnabas Athletic Performance Center

, the

Global Village Learning Center at Douglass Residential College

, a

revamped College Avenue

and even an improved setting for

Willie the Silent

.

Research advancements (Multiple years)

The past decade included a number of research advancements by Rutgers faculty, students and alumni, including

flight fire-safety innovations

,

recycled plastic lumber

, the

Protein Data Bank

,

drones

,

medical technology

,

diseases

,

nutrition

,

sea-level rise

and other impacts of

climate change

,

infrastructure

and

crops

to name a few.

UCR Metrics for the City of Camden Released

(Camden City , NJ) – The Camden County Police Department finished 2019 with reductions in part one categories of violent crime. This amounts to an aggregate 3 percent drop over 2019 for violent crime accounting for 1,161 incidents. In addition, this represents a 42 percent decrease compared to 2012 UCR numbers for violent crime.

The numbers also represent a historic drop in total UCR crime – both violent and nonviolent – going back to the late 1960s. Last year, the city logged 3,305 total crimes compared to 10,724, during the first year we have on record for UCR data, 1974, representing a 69 percent reduction.

Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. talked about the improvements to the quality of life in the city and the commitment to community policing that has spearheaded much of the changes.

“This was another year of tangible progress by the men and women in the Camden County Police Department. It’s because of them that we have seen the transformation throughout the city and it’s been their commitment and dedication to the community that has bridged the divide that existed with residents,” Cappelli said. “When we started this endeavor, Camden had significant challenges. Now, we have decreased murders to a level that has not been seen since the mid-80s and reduced total crime to levels we haven’t seen since the 1960s.”

Throughout last year, several changes took place in the department from the promotion of a new chief to the adoption of a new use of force guideline that was nationally recognized. In addition, the department installed a new virtual training mechanism for de-escalation and continued a strategy grounded in the tenets of community policing, mutual respect and the preservation of life.

Mayor Frank Moran talked about the overall improvements to the city that the department has made for children and families.

“Public safety remains a priority here in Camden,” Moran said. “As elected officials, we have an obligation to make sure our community is safe.  Through collaboration and thanks to the dedicated effort of the Camden County Police Department, Camden is safer than it has been in decades. As Mayor and a lifelong resident, there is a noticeable change as the quality of life has continued to improve citywide.  Whether it’s reductions in crime, increased economic growth or improved educational outcomes, Camden is realizing sustained progress.”

Since the county police department was stood up more than six years ago, the city has experienced unprecedented private and public investment, more than $2.5 billion, from new corporate campuses, academic buildings and park construction. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Census Bureau the poverty rate has decreased by 14 percent since 2013, the job rate growth led the nation in 2017 and the high school dropout rate has been cut in half since 2013. Furthermore, Rutgers-Camden has ushered in its largest student body ever, unemployment is at a 30-year low and more than $53 million is being invested into the city’s infrastructure this fiscal year.

After 50 years of disinvestment and disenfranchisement, starting in 1967 with the closing of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden has been incrementally moving forward and becoming a beacon of hope and change for the region.

“This agency continues to provide the guardianship our community needs to feel safe when they go to the park or the corner store. This organization’s foundation is centered on engagement and dialogue with residents and we will be continuing that work in 2020,” Chief Joseph Wysocki said. “I want to thank our partners in the community, from the school district to civic leaders, who are working with us to make Camden a safer place. I also want to thank the officers working the beat who are the backbone of this agency.”

Cappelli also talked about the importance of partnerships with other law enforcement agencies in reducing crime in Camden.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Department, New Jersey State Police and all of our federal law enforcement partners for the roles they played last year,” Cappelli continued. “We are looking forward to building on 2019 and working with them to maintain and continue the progress into the new year.”

source Camden County

South Jersey Eye Physicians: Glaucoma Patients May Help Preserve EyeSight by Changing Lifestyle

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, affecting about 3 million people in the United States.Because there are no symptoms early on, about half of people with the disease don’t know they have it. Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it can’t be regained.

During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, South Jersey Eye Physicians joins the

American Academy of Ophthalmology

in reminding the public that early detection and treatment, and some lifestyle choices can help protect your sight.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. Typically, the disease progresses slowly, gradually destroying peripheral vision. Because people are unaware of early peripheral vision loss, a patient can lose most of it before they even know they have glaucoma.

That’s why the Academy recommends that everyone have a

comprehensive

eye exam at age 40. This exam provides ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – an opportunity to carefully examine the eye including the optic nerve for signs of damage and other possible problems that may affect vision. Individuals at greater risk for developing glaucoma include people:

over age 40;

of African, Asian or Hispanic heritage;

who have

high eye pressure

detected during an eye exam;

who are

farsighted

or

nearsighted

;

who have experienced eye trauma or eye injury;

whose

corneas

are thin in the center;

or who have health problems such as

diabetes

,

migraines

,

high blood pressure

or poor blood circulation.

Appropriate treatment for glaucoma depends on the specific type and severity of the disease. Medicated

eye drops

or laser treatments are the most common initial approach. These techniques work by lowering eye pressure to reduce the amount of

fluid in the eye

, and by increasing fluid outflow from the eye.

Beyond drugs and surgery, several recent studies suggest that lifestyle choices may also help minimize the risk of losing vision to glaucoma.

Exercise regularly.

A

study

just published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, showed that people who engaged in physical activity can slow vision loss from glaucoma.

Meditate.

A new

study

published last month in the

Journal Glaucoma

showed that a relaxation program with meditation can lower eye pressure in glaucoma patients and improve their quality of life by lowering stress hormones like cortisol.

Don’t use CBD as a “natural” glaucoma remedy.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychotropic component of cannabis and hemp being touted as a magical cure-all. A

study

published last month in

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

shows it actually raised eye pressure in mice.

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy ones

. One study showed that people who ate more leafy vegetables have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of developing glaucoma. Why? Nitrates in green vegetables can be converted to nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and help regulate pressure inside the eye.

Don’t smoke

. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of glaucoma and has an overall negative impact on eye health.

Maintain a healthy body weight

. People with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk for diabetes, and having diabetes puts people at risk of glaucoma. Having a too low BMI is also associated with increased glaucoma risk.

“Patients are often surprised when their ophthalmologist tells them they have glaucoma because they don’t have symptoms,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., a clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “That’s why it’s so important to have your eyes examined regularly; to detect the signs of disease you don’t see. The good news is that today’s innovative treatments and surgical techniques are better than ever.”

source

Home