Focusing in on Eye Health with Dr. John Morrison

NSSGA Podcast

Today, Libby welcomes Dr. John Morrison to the podcast. In addition to being an ophthalmologist and glaucoma researcher at Oregon Health and Sciences University with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Morrison is also Libby’s father! He joins her here today to discuss the importance of taking care of our eyes in general, and more specifically, to share important information regarding glaucoma.

Episode Highlights:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world, with approximately 80 million people affected globally.
• 33 million adults over the age of 40 in the United States have glaucoma and it is four times more prevalent in the African American population.
• The main cause of glaucoma is increased eye pressure which damages the optic nerve fibers, causing vision loss.
• Unlike most other causes of blindness, people often don't know they have glaucoma as it is painless, slow-moving, and affects peripheral vision before causing central vision loss.
• Treatments are available for glaucoma, including drops, surgery, and laser surgery.
• The story of a patient who had severe vision loss and did not realize it until it was too late.
• Regular eye exams are important to catch glaucoma early.
• Peripheral vision is affected before central vision, which is why people may not realize they have glaucoma.
• Dr. Morrison also shares how he has seen the field of glaucoma research and treatment change over the course of his career.

Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:

• In this episode, Dr. Morrison shares information about glaucoma. Have you ever heard of this condition and how it can impact people before they even know they have the condition?

• How does this story encourage us to take steps to protect our health in the future?

• Does anyone have a story about a good catch in their own health experience?

Quotes:

"Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world."

"The main cause of glaucoma is increased eye pressure which damages the optic nerve fibers, causing vision loss."

"Unlike most other causes of blindness, people often don't know they have glaucoma as it is painless, slow-moving, and affects peripheral vision before causing central vision loss."

"It's estimated that half of all glaucoma patients don't know they have it."

"We have good treatments that are available. We have drops, surgery, and laser surgery that can all be used to lower the pressure."

“When it comes to our eye health and when it comes to glaucoma, even if you don't know and there's nothing going on, we still need to go and get that check up, and it's something that's really important and preventative.”

Links:

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website