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Glaucoma Screening

Table of Contents


Overview

If you are younger than 40 and have no known risk factors for glaucoma, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that you have a complete eye exam every 5 to 10 years. This includes tests that check for glaucoma.1

If you are at risk for glaucoma, the AAO suggests that you have complete eye exams according to the schedule below:

Your eye doctor may advise you to have eye exams more often, depending on your level of risk and your overall eye health.

People at higher risk for glaucoma include those who:2

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

After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) hasn't recommended for or against routine glaucoma screening for all adults.3


References

Citations

  1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (2021). Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation (Preferred Practice Pattern). Ophthalmology, 128(1): PP1-P29. DOI:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.10.024. Accessed May 17, 2022.
  2. American Academy of Ophthalmology (2020). Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (Preferred Practice Pattern). Ophthalmology, 128(1): 71–150. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.10.022. Accessed October 13, 2021.
  3. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2013). Screening for glaucoma. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsglau.htm. Accessed November 26, 2013.

Credits for Glaucoma Screening

Current as of: June 5, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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