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Regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist are important to screen for primary open-angle glaucoma. In particular, regular eye examinations are critical for people who are at high risk for glaucoma, such as African Americans and elderly individuals.

• For people without any symptoms and who are aged 40 years and younger, screenings should be performed at least every 3-5 years.
  
  
• Screenings should be conducted more often if the person is African American or older than 40 years.
  
  
• For people with multiple risk factors for glaucoma, evaluation/monitoring should be performed on an even more frequent basis.

Your initial visit to the ophthalmologist is extremely important in the evaluation for primary open-angle glaucoma or other ocular diseases that could be causing elevated intraocular pressure (called secondary glaucoma).

During this visit, the ophthalmologist may ask you about the following:

• Past ocular history
  
  
  • Eye pain or redness
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  • Multicolored halos
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  • Headache
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  • Previous eye disease, eye surgery, or eye/head trauma
  
  
• Past surgeries or illnesses
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• Current medications (Some medications may indirectly cause changes in intraocular pressure.)
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• Strong risk factors for optic nerve damage due to glaucoma
  
  
  • History of elevated intraocular pressure
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  • Advanced age, particularly people who are older than 40 years
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  • African American descent
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  • Family history of glaucoma
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  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  
  
• Possible risk factors for optic nerve damage due to glaucoma
  
  
  • Heart disease
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  • Diabetes
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  • Migraine headache
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  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
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  • Vasospasm (a spasm or constriction of the blood vessels)
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• Other possible risk factors
  
  
  • Obesity
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  • Smoking
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  • Alcohol use
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  • History of stress
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  • Anxiety

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