Free Family Eye Guide from Dr. Jocko

Glaucoma and Your Family

It often runs in families and can be quiet. Check early.

As an ER physician and a dad of four boys, here is what I want families to know: glaucoma damages the optic nerve and often has no early symptoms, and about half of people with it don't know they have it. This free one page sheet covers four steps to check early and when to get help right away.

• Ask your family. Ask parents and siblings about glaucoma on both sides. Family history raises your risk, about 22 percent lifetime risk in one large study versus about 2 percent for others.
• Get a baseline eye exam by 40. Adults should have a complete eye exam around age 40. With risk factors like family history, more frequent exams may be recommended.
• With family history, go every 1 to 2 years. Higher risk means a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years. Pressure checks alone aren't enough.
• When to get help right away. Sudden intense eye pain, red eye, blurry vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, or vomiting can be an eye emergency.

Tap below to download the free sheet. No sign up needed.