My Eyecare Resource Center - Back to home page
Brought to you by Alcon
Send to a friend | Text Size
"To make glaucoma more manageable,
make yourself more knowledgeable."
Test your knowledge - Quiz
1. Glaucoma is more common in African
Americans than in Caucasians.
- True
- False
2. Glaucoma tends to run in families.
- True
- False
3. A person can have glaucoma and not know it.
- True
- False
4. People over age 60 are more likely to get glaucoma.
- True
- False
5. Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma.
- True
- False
6. Glaucoma can be controlled.
- True
- False
7. If I have increased eye pressure, it means I have glaucoma.
- True
- False
8. Vision loss from glaucoma can be restored.
- True
- False
9. A complete glaucoma exam consists only of measuring eye pressure.
- True
- False
10. People at risk for glaucoma should have an eye examination through dilated pupils.
- True
- False
1. 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 Caucasians. In addition, glaucoma is six times more likely to cause blindness in African-Americans than in Caucasians.1. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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 Caucasians. In addition, glaucoma is six times more likely to cause blindness in African-Americans than in Caucasians. 2. True.
Glaucoma often runs in families. If someone in your immediate family has glaucoma, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every one to two years.2. A common misconception!
The right answer is “True”:
Glaucoma often runs in families. If someone in your immediate family has glaucoma, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every one to two years. 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.3. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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 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.4. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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. 5. A common misconception!
The right answer is “False”:
People with glaucoma usually do not experience pain from the disease. 5. False
People with glaucoma usually do not experience pain from the disease.6. 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.6. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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. 7. A common misconception!
The right answer is “False”:
Increased eye pressure means you are at increased risk for glaucoma, but does not mean that you have the disease. A person has glaucoma only if the optic nerve is damaged. If you have increased eye pressure but not damage to the optic nerve, you do not have glaucoma. Follow the advice of your doctor. 7. False.
Increased eye pressure means you are at increased risk for glaucoma, but does not mean that you have the disease. A person has glaucoma only if the optic nerve is damaged. If you have increased eye pressure but not damage to the optic nerve, you do not have glaucoma. Follow the advice of your doctor.8. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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.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. A common misconception!
The right answer is “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.