Here's a New Year's resolution that can save your sight: make that call to your eye doctor to schedule an appointment to have your eyes tested.

Anyone, at any age, can develop glaucoma; early detection and continuing treatment are key to preserving your vision. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States and the leading cause of all blindness among African Americans. Yet, half the people who have glaucoma still don't know it. That means they haven't had their eyes examined.

While some people are at greater risk for glaucoma, the disease can afflict anyone, from newborn babies to senior citizens. The chances of developing the disease do increase as we get older, with age 45 the statistical point of increased risk, but there are other risk factors that have nothing to do with age.

Glaucoma is actually a group of diseases which, in many cases, produce elevated fluid pressure inside the eye. Such elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a very significant risk factor for glaucoma.

Ethnic background also has a significant impact. People of African descent are especially at risk: one in 13 has glaucoma and the disease occurs 4 to 6 times more often than among Caucasians. Among blacks, glaucoma also occurs earlier in life and more frequently results in blindness. Hispanics are also at greater risk, as are people with certain other health conditions, such as diabetes, and those who have experienced a serious eye injury.

Undetected and untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. And vision that is lost cannot yet be restored.

"Most people who have glaucoma don't notice symptoms until they begin to lose some vision," says Dr. Gregory K. Harmon, TGF Chairman. "That's why it's sometimes called the 'sneak thief of sight.' But vision loss from glaucoma can usually be prevented if it's detected and treated in time." Pointing out that some 120,000 Americans are blind as the result of glaucoma, Dr. Harmon says that the vast majority of these individuals did not have to lose their sight. A simple, painless eye examination can detect the disease.

Research funded by government and by nonprofit organizations like The Glaucoma Foundation is striving to unlock the mysteries of glaucoma and find more effective treatments and, one day, a cure. Researchers and glaucoma doctors have learned a lot in recent years. Glaucoma is being better detected, treated and understood than it was just a few years ago.