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Glaucoma screening

Too little, too late?

  • Screening
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Abstract

Screening for glaucoma, usually by measuring intraocular pressure, has been popular, but repeated analysis indicates poor sensitivity and specificity. More extensive testing is required. Such testing should be focused on high-risk groups, including blacks and the elderly. Regular comprehensive eye examinations, on a schedule adjusted for these and other risk factors, are probably the most cost-efficient means of identifying patients with glaucoma. The primary care provider has a pivotal role: to encourage patients to undergo such examinations when warranted; and to encourage those on intraocular-pressure-lowering medications to comply with their medication use.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wilmer 120, 600 North Wolfe Street, 21205, Baltimore, MD

    Alfred Sommer MD, MHS

Authors
  1. Alfred Sommer MD, MHS
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Additional information

Received from the Dana Center for Preventive Ophathalmology, the Wilmer Eye Institute, and the School of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Supported by research grants #EY03605 and #ET05091 from the National Institutes of Health, and by the Johns Hopkins Health of the Public Program.

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Sommer, A. Glaucoma screening. J Gen Intern Med 5 (Suppl 2), S33–S37 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02600838

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02600838

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