Pop Quiz: Facts and Stats about Glaucoma

1.) Which of the following defines glaucoma?

1. 1. A medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.
   2. A complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss.
   3. The inability to perceive differences in various shades of colors.
   4. The loss of vision after exposure of the eyes to large amounts of ultraviolet light. 

 

2.) True or False? With open-angle glaucoma (the most common form) generally, there are virtually no symptoms to warn you that your eyesight is being lost to glaucoma.

 

3.) Of the estimated 3 million Americans who have glaucoma, about how many don’t know they have it?

1. 1. 10 percent
   2. 25 percent
   3. 40 percent
   4. 50 percent

4.) Which of the following is generally the first noticeable indicator that you have glaucoma?

1. 1. Pain in the eyes
   2. Feelings of increased pressure in the eyes
   3. Loss of peripheral (side) vision
   4. Loss of night vision

5.) True or False? Only the elderly need to worry about developing glaucoma.

 

6.) Which of the following factors increase your risk of developing glaucoma? 

1. 1. Age: You are six times more likely to get glaucoma if you are 60 years old or older.
   2. Race: Glaucoma is six to eight times more common in African Americans; older Hispanics and Asians have higher rates of some forms of glaucoma too.
   3. Family history: If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population.
   4. Eye issues like eye injuries, hypertension, and High myopia (nearsightedness)
   5. All of the Above

7.) True or False? Glaucoma is incurable, and vision, once lost, cannot be regained. Medication and/or surgery can only halt further loss of vision.

8.) Which of the following is the only way to know for sure if you are suffering from glaucoma and your eyesight is in danger?

1. 1. Get a dilated eye exam at least every two years
   2. Find a glaucoma test online
   3. Wait for symptoms of glaucoma to begin
   4. Examine your eyes every day

Resources: Information provided by The Glaucoma Research Foundation at Glaucoma.org

 

ANSWERS:

1. B. A complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss.
2. True. There are usually no symptoms, such as pain or discomfort, to warn you that your eyesight is being permanently damaged by glaucoma until the vision loss becomes noticeable.
3. D. 50 percent. Approximately half of those suffering from glaucoma do not know they have it.
4. C. Loss of peripheral (side) vision. Unfortunately, many people unconsciously turn their heads to the side to compensate for the loss of peripheral vision, meaning the disease continues to go unnoticed.
5. False. While the elderly do have a greater risk of developing glaucoma, the disease can strike at any age. Approximately 1 out of every 10,000 babies born in the U.S. are born with glaucoma.
6. E. All of the Above. The elderly, those of certain racial backgrounds, those with eye injuries/issues or health issues like hypertension all have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
7. True. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be regained, and medication and surgery can only halt further damage.
8. A. Get a dilated eye exam at least every two years. Since glaucoma is without symptoms, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to get a dilated eye exam; the medical community recommends on at least every two years.