8/17/2019 Glaucoma Quiz

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Glaucoma.How much do you know?

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 likelyto get glaucoma.

True False

5. Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma. True

False

Test Your Knowledge Quiz

6. Glaucoma can be controlled. True False

7. If I have increased eye pressure, it meansI have glaucoma.

True False

8. Vision loss from glaucoma can be restored. True False

9. A complete glaucoma exam consists onlyof measuring eye pressure.

True False

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

True False

You’ve probably heard the term “glaucoma”… but do you really know what it is,and who is at risk for it? Use this quiz from the National Eye Institute 1 to test yourknowledge and learn something along the way. Because the more you knowabout the “silent thief of sight,” the better.

8/17/2019 Glaucoma Quiz

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Quiz Answers

1. Glaucoma is more common in African-Americansthan in Caucasians.TRUE. In a study funded by the National Eye Institute,researchers at The Johns Hopkins University reportedthat glaucoma is three to four times more likely tooccur in African-Americans than in Caucasians. Inaddition, glaucoma is six times more likely to causeblindness in African-Americans than in Caucasians.

2. Glaucoma tends to run in families. TRUE. Glaucoma often runs in families. If someone in

your immediate family has glaucoma, you should havea comprehensive dilated eye examination every oneto two years.

3. A person can have glaucoma and not know it. TRUE. The early stages of open-angle glaucoma,the most common form, usually have no warningsigns. However, as the disease progresses, a personwith glaucoma may notice his or her side visiongradually failing.

4. People over age 60 are more likelyto get glaucoma.

TRUE. Everyone over age 60 is at an increased riskfor glaucoma, especially Mexican-Americans. Othergroups at increased risk include African-Americansover age 40 and people with a family history ofglaucoma. Children and babies can also developglaucoma.

5. Eye pain is often a symptom of glaucoma. FALSE. People with glaucoma usually do not

experience pain from the disease.

6. Glaucoma can be controlled. TRUE. Although glaucoma cannot be cured, itusually can be controlled by eyedrops or pills,conventional surgery, or laser surgery. Sometimes eyecare professionals will recommend a combination ofsurgery and medication.

7. If I have increased eye pressure, it meansI have glaucoma.

FALSE. Increased eye pressure means you are atincreased risk for glaucoma, but does not mean thatyou have the disease. A person has glaucoma onlyif the optic nerve is damaged. If you have increasedeye pressure but not damage to the optic nerve,you do not have glaucoma. Follow the advice ofyour doctor.

8. Vision loss from glaucoma can be restored. FALSE. Vision loss from glaucoma is permanent.

However, with early detection and treatment, theprogression of visual loss can be slowed or halted,and the risk of blindness reduced.

9. A complete glaucoma exam consists onlyof measuring eye pressure.

FALSE. A measurement of eye pressure bytonometry, though an important part of acomprehensive eye exam, is, by itself, not sufficientfor the detection of glaucoma. Glaucoma is detectedmost often during an eye examination through dilatedpupils. Drops are put into the eyes during the exam

to enlarge the pupils, which allows the eye careprofessional to see more of the inside of the eye tocheck for signs of glaucoma. When indicated, a visualeld test should also be performed.

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

TRUE. An eye examination through dilated pupils isthe best way to diagnose glaucoma. Individuals atincreased risk for the disease should have their eyes

examined through dilated pupils every one to twoyears by an eye care professional.

© 2013 Novartis 11/13 MG1339

1 The National Eye Institute, National Eye Health Eduction Program, 2006. National Eye Institute, NatioInstitutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/ glaucoma_quiz/eyeqtest2006.pdf. Accessed July 2, 2012.