
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 13, 1990                   TAG: 9004130953
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BUSH HAS GLAUCOMA IN LEFT EYE

President Bush will have to use prescription eye drops the rest of his life to control glaucoma in his left eye, the White House says, but he is not expected to suffer vision problems.

Bush's eye problem, characterized by the White House as "an early glaucoma," was diagnosed during his routine annual physical examination on Thursday.

If not detected early and properly treated, the condition, stemming from pressure in the eye, can lead to blindness.

But in Bush's case, there has been no visual impairment. Doctors said none should be anticipated.

The 65-year-old president was pronounced otherwise "in excellent health" by his personal physician, Dr. Burton Lee. "He continues to keep extremely fit through vigorous physical activities," Lee said in a statement.

Asked about the glaucoma at a photo session after he returned from the four-hour physical at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in suburban Maryland, Bush said:

"I haven't felt a thing, felt it at all. I'm taking drops now ... one in the morning and one at night, but the vision is very good."

White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said, "Dr. Lee does not anticipate any future problems" with the president's vision.

Glaucoma expert Dr. Mansour Armaly concurred, although he did not examine the president.

Armaly, chairman of ophthalmology at George Washington University Medical Center here, said in a telephone interview that early detection is the key to controlling glaucoma.

by CNB