Exposing glaucoma. Primary care physicians are instrumental in early detection.

Glaucoma is a common, insidious cause of blindness in the general population, especially in older patients. Although much is still unknown about the symptoms and pathogenesis of this group of ocular diseases, primary care physicians can make a major difference in reducing vision loss by identifying high-risk patients at an early stage of disease. A history that assesses important risk factors and a physical examination that includes the flashlight test and close inspection of the optic nerve for color of neuroretinal rim and cupping improve the chances of early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.