JANUARY:  Glaucoma Awareness Month

Fifty million Americans are at risk for vision loss from glaucoma.  Are you one of them? If you are, do you know how to reduce your risk of blindness?  Check your answers to the following statements to determine your Glaucoma Eye-Q:

—— TRUE OR FALSE ——

1.  Glaucoma tends to run in families.
2.  Glaucoma is more common in African-Americans than Caucasians.
3.  A person can have glaucoma and not know it.
4.  You are more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60.
5.  Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma.
6.  Glaucoma can be cured.
7.  Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure.
8.  Vision loss from glaucoma can be restored.
9.  A complete glaucoma exams consists only of measuring eye pressure.

10. People at risk for glaucoma should have an eye examination through dilated pupils.

—— ANSWERS ——

1. 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 your eyes examined through dilated pupils at least every two years….

2. True. Glaucoma is three or four times more likely to occur in African-Americans than in Caucasians.  In addition, glaucoma is six times more likely to cause blindness in African-Americans than in Caucasians.

3. 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.

4. True.  Everyone over age 60 has an increased risk for glaucoma. People think of glaucoma as an “older persons” disease; but, in fact, everyone is at risk for glaucoma and people of all ages can get glaucoma, even babies.

5. False. People with glaucoma usually do not experience pain or any symptoms from the disease. This is why glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight.”

6. False. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, nor is there a cure, but its resulting blindness can be prevented.  Early detection so that treatment can begin is the best way to prevent blindness from glaucoma.

7. True. Sometimes in glaucoma, for reasons still not completely understood, fluid drains too slowly out  of the eye.  As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises.  Unless this pressure is controlled, it may cause damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye and loss of vision.

8. 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.

9. False. A measure 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.  A thorough dilated eye exam is pain free and takes less than an hour to performed ....

10. 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 at least every two years by an eye care professional.

Share this glaucoma test with your family and friends. Make sure if they are at risk for glaucoma, they have a thorough dilated eye exam (Source: “Gleams,” Glaucoma Research Foundation, January 2004).  Reprinted by Permission.   

The Visionary, published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,
is available upon request. The information contained in this issue,
taken from sources considered to be accurate,
does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.

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