Glaucoma screening

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all people older than 20 be tested for glaucoma.¹ However, after reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against glaucoma screening for all adults.² Still, it is especially important for people who are at increased risk for glaucoma to be tested every year. People at increased risk include those who:

• Are older than 65.
• Are African Americans (for open-angle glaucoma).
• Are East Asians and people with East Asian ancestry (for closed-angle glaucoma).
• Are farsighted (greater risk of developing closed-angle glaucoma).
• Have had an eye injury or eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
• Have diabetes.
• Have high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Have been taking corticosteroid medicines.
• Have a family history of glaucoma.

Because people with glaucoma may have normal pressures in their eyes, measuring eye pressure (tonometry) should not be used as the only test for glaucoma. It needs to be combined with other tests before glaucoma can be diagnosed.

For more information, see the topic Glaucoma.

Citations

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (2002). Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Suspect, Limited Revision (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology.

2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2005). Screening for glaucoma: Recommendation statement. Annals of Family Medicine, 3(2): 171–172. Available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/glaucoma/glaucrs.htm.