Abstract
An 85-year-old Latin American female presents for evaluation after an increased intraocular pressure was detected at a community screening for glaucoma. She has a past medical history of severe degenerative arthritis in her hands and suffers from stable angina. Though widowed, she lives independently near her family; she has declined previous suggestions to move in with them or to the local retirement center. On examination the patient has 20/20 visual acuity OU, an increased intraocular pressure (IOP) of 28 mmHg OU, glaucomatous cupping of 0.6 OU, and a superior arcuate glaucomatous defect OU. At that point, her eye doctor begins a one-eyed trial in the right eye (OD) of timolol GFS 0.5% each morning.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Beers MH, Fink A, Beck J. Screening recommendations for the elderly. Am J Public Health. 1991;81(9):1131–1140.
Alliance for Aging Research and the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research. The Silver Book: Vision Loss. Washington, DC: Alliance for Aging Research; 2008. Available at http://www.silverbook.org/visionloss.
Quillen DA. Common causes of vision loss in elderly patients. Am Fam Phys. 1999;60:99–108.
Varma R, Ying-Lai M, Farncis BA, et al. Prevalence of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in latinos. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2004;111:1439–1448.
Long CA, Holden R, Mulkerrin E, Sykes D. Opportunistic screening of visual acuity of elderly patients attending outpatient clinics. Age Ageing. 1991;20:392–395.
Watson GR. Low vision in the geriatric population: Rehabilitation and management. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001;49:317–330.
Screening for Glaucoma, Topic Page. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD; March 2005. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsglau.htm Accessed 5-25-08.
O.N.E. Network. Clinical Statement: Glaucoma: American Academy of Ophthalmology, January 23, 2007. San Francisco, USA. Available at http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/ClinicalStatements_Content.aspx?cid=4bd6e118-87d5-4545-afc3-88c91e8e8a9c, Accessed 5-25-08.
Haymes SA, LeBlanc RP, Nicolela MT, Chiasson LA, Chauban BC. Risk of falls and motor vehicle collisions in glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:1149–1155.
Freeman, EE, Munoz B, Rubin G, West S. Visual field Loss increases the risk of falls in older adults: The aalsibury eye evaluation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:4445–4450.
Rubin GS, Ng ES, Bandeen-Roche K, et al. A prospective, population-based study of the role of visual impairment in motor vehicle crashes among older drivers: The SEE study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:1483–1491.
Vision 2020: The Right to Sight. Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: action plan 2006–2011 [electronic resource]. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2007. Available at http://www.who.int/blindness/Vision2020%20-report.pdf.
Noecker RJ. Brimonidine 0.2% as a replacement for beta blockers in geriatric patients with glaucoma. Adv Ther. 2002;19(2):91–97.
Rhee DJ, Rapuano CJ, Papaliodid GN, et al. Physician's Desk Reference for Ophthalmic Medicines, 36 ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR; 2007.
Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology. Section 2. Basic and Clinical Science Course 2007–2008. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology; 2007:Chapter 18, 393–457.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Beaver, H. (2009). Glaucoma in the Elderly. In: Lee, A.G., Beaver, H. (eds) Geriatric Ophthalmology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/b137372_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/b137372_4
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0009-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0014-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)