TRUE OR FALSE: A person with a low or normal pressure reading does not have glaucoma.

TRUE OR FALSE: A person with a low or normal pressure reading does not have glaucoma.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not determinable

Answer: (B)

A basic understanding is that glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, judged by changes in the optic disc and the visual field, not solely by the level of intraocular pressure (IOP). While high IOP is a major risk factor, glaucoma can occur even when IOP is in the normal range. This is known as normal tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage progresses despite what’s considered a normal pressure reading. IOP can also vary throughout the day and with measurement technique, so a single low or normal reading does not reliably rule out glaucoma. In practice, diagnosing glaucoma relies on signs such as cupping or thinning of the neuroretinal rim, thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer on imaging, and corresponding visual field loss, alongside IOP measurements. Therefore, the statement that a person with a low or normal pressure reading does not have glaucoma is not necessarily true—glaucoma can be present even with normal readings.

A basic understanding is that glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, judged by changes in the optic disc and the visual field, not solely by the level of intraocular pressure (IOP). While high IOP is a major risk factor, glaucoma can occur even when IOP is in the normal range. This is known as normal tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage progresses despite what’s considered a normal pressure reading. IOP can also vary throughout the day and with measurement technique, so a single low or normal reading does not reliably rule out glaucoma.

In practice, diagnosing glaucoma relies on signs such as cupping or thinning of the neuroretinal rim, thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer on imaging, and corresponding visual field loss, alongside IOP measurements. Therefore, the statement that a person with a low or normal pressure reading does not have glaucoma is not necessarily true—glaucoma can be present even with normal readings.