Glaucoma Screening

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
National Medicare Multi-Media & Education Campaign
Medicare Strives to Help You Stay Healthy – Glaucoma Screening
A Healthier US Starts Here

“[Glaucoma] doesn't prevent me from doing anything that I once did,” says glaucoma patient Sam Polakoff. “I'm fortunate in that mine was discovered early, and I have not lost any sight as a result of my glaucoma.”

A simple test helped save Sam’s sight, and it can help to protect against your vision loss too. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma are the only way to slow or prevent a loss of vision or blindness.
If you have Medicare and are at risk for developing glaucoma, talk with your doctor about your eligibility for Medicare coverage of glaucoma screening.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Although it’s usually caused by high pressure in the eye, it can occur with normal pressure. Some forms of glaucoma can cause you to lose your sight without symptoms or warning. Everyone with risk factors who is eligible under Medicare should get screened. Of the over 3 million Americans with glaucoma, only half know they have it.

You have a higher risk for glaucoma if you…

• have diabetes
• have a family history of glaucoma
• are African American and age 50 or older (It is the leading cause of blindness for African Americans.)
• are Hispanic and age 65 and older.

How can you protect your vision?

Talk to your doctor about your risk for glaucoma and have your vision checked regularly. If you have part B, Medicare covers a glaucoma screening once every 12 months if you are high risk for glaucoma. Generally, this simple test can be done during your regular eye exam. Glaucoma treatments include medicine and/or surgery to relieve pressure in the eye.

Look for a “Healthier US Starts Here” event in your area to learn more about this and other Medicare preventive services, like flu shots and other screening. Or, visit www.medicare.gov on the web or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get a free copy of “Staying Healthy: Medicare’s Preventive Services.” On the web, select “Find a Medicare Publication” under “Search Tools.”

This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.