![How the world looks with glaucoma](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090130224847im_/http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma_quiz/glaucomaview.jpg)
Glaucoma: How much do you know?
Fifty million Americans are at risk for vision loss from glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Are you one of them? If you are, do you know how to reduce your risk of blindness? To determine how high your Eye-Q is, answer the following questions about glaucoma.
- Glaucoma is more common in African Americans than in Whites.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. In a study funded by the National Eye Institute, researchers at The Johns Hopkins University reported that glaucoma is three to four times more likely to occur in African Americans than in Whites. In addition, glaucoma is six times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in Whites.
- Glaucoma tends to run in families.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. Although glaucoma tends to run in families, a hereditary basis has not been established. If someone in your immediate family has glaucoma, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every one to two years.
- A person can have glaucoma and not know it.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. The early stages of open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, usually have no warning signs. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing.
- People over age 60 are more likely to get glaucoma.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. Everyone over age 60 is at an increased risk for glaucoma, especially Mexican Americans. Other groups at increased risk include African Americans over age 40 and people with a family history of glaucoma. Children and babies can also develop glaucoma.
- Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
False. People with glaucoma usually do not experience pain from the disease.
- Glaucoma can be controlled.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it usually can be controlled by eyedrops or pills, conventional surgery, or laser surgery. Sometimes eye care professionals will recommend a combination of surgery and medication.
- Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
False. Increased eye pressure means you are at increased risk for glaucoma, but does not mean you have the disease. A person has glaucoma only if the optic nerve is damaged. If you have increased eye pressure but no damage to the optic nerve, you do not have glaucoma. Follow the advice of your doctor.
- Vision lost from glaucoma can be restored.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
False. Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent. However, with early detection and treatment, the progression of visual loss can be slowed, or halted, and the risk of blindness reduced.
- A complete glaucoma exam consists only of measuring eye pressure.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
False. A measurement of eye pressure by tonometry, though an important part of a comprehensive eye exam, is, by itself, not sufficient for the detection of glaucoma. Glaucoma is detected most often during an eye examination through dilated pupils. Drops are put into the eyes during the exam to enlarge the pupils, which allows the eye care professional to see more of the inside of the eye to check for signs of glaucoma. When indicated, a visual field test should also be performed.
- People at risk for glaucoma should have an eye examination through dilated pupils.
Choose TRUE or FALSE
True. An eye examination through dilated pupils is the best way to diagnose glaucoma. Individuals at increased risk for the disease should have their eyes examined through dilated pupils every one to two years by an eye care professional.
If you got 9 or 10 answers right, congratulations! You know a lot about glaucoma. If you missed some, review the answers so you can share your knowledge with your family and friends who have glaucoma.
To learn more about glaucoma, look at our online resource guide.
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health