VIP partners with Primary Eye Care in Selma to offer free glaucoma screenings

With National Glaucoma Awareness Month underway, the V.I.P. Organization is partnering with Primary Eye Care Center to offer free glaucoma screenings on Jan. 29. 

William Bowman, President and CEO of the V.I.P. Organization, has made glaucoma education a personal mission. Born with congenital glaucoma, Bowman has undergone 44 eye surgeries procedures that preserved what little vision he still has. 

“My doctor told me I wasn’t supposed to be able to see at all,” Bowman said. “I guess God is keeping me seeing so I can keep other people seeing.” 

Bowman said glaucoma remains the leading cause of blindness across racial groups and often progresses silently until significant damage has occurred. Warning signs include blurred vision, reduced peripheral vision, or eye pain and can be easy to miss. 

“It’s a silent disease,” he said. “If you’re over 50, you need a thorough dilated eye exam once a year. And if glaucoma runs in your family, you need to get checked even earlier.” 

Primary Eye Care Center, led by Dr. Kristina Lovinggood, will host free glaucoma screenings on Jan. 29 from noon to 2 p.m. at its office at 2401 Medical Center Parkway in Selma. 

No appointment is required. Participants only need to bring a photo ID. 

During the visit, Dr. Lovinggood will check vision status and screen for glaucoma. If signs of the disease are detected, she will either begin treatment immediately or schedule a follow-up appointment. 

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Bowman emphasized, “We’re not making any money off of it,” he said. “This is about helping people.” 

For residents who need help getting to the screening, Bowman is coordinating free transportation. Those needing a ride can call him at 334-354-4015 and leave a message. 

Primary Eye Care Center can be reached at 334-874-7024 for general questions. 

Bowman said past screening events have uncovered undiagnosed glaucoma in many participants. 

“If we’ve had 10 people come in, three to five didn’t know they had glaucoma,” he said. “They came back the next week, started treatment and saved their vision.” 

While glaucoma cannot be cured, early detection and treatment can prevent it from worsening, he said. 

“You can’t treat it if you don’t know you have it,” Bowman said. “People just have to show up.”