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Quiz: Is It Time to See the Eye Doctor?

Test yourself on cataracts, glaucoma and other common eye problems

AARP

Updated May 12, 2021

En español

Published May 30, 2013

/ Updated May 12, 2021

11 Questions

8710350b-8eb1-4975-81d6-21044aad849f

Quiz: Is It Time to See the Eye Doctor?

[ {
 "question" : "Which eye problem is the most common among adults?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Age-related macular degeneration",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Cataracts",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Glaucoma",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Diabetic retinopathy",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "According to the National Eye Institute, more than 24 million Americans age 40 or older have cataracts, followed by 7.7 million with diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina caused by diabetes) and 2.7 million with glaucoma (increased fluid pressure within the eye). Age-related macular degeneration — loss of central vision — affects more than 2 million Americans 50 or older.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "When was the last time you went to the eye doctor?",
 "questionImgCredit" : "Istockphoto"
}, {
 "question" : "What causes cataracts?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Close-up tasks like reading or sewing",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Low-level radiation from computer screens",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "A buildup of protein in the eye's lens",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Overuse of the eye",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "With age, the eye's lens becomes less flexible and thicker. Sometime after age 40, small clumps of protein form in the lens and become cloudy, causing loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. This cloudiness is called a cataract.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What are the early symptoms of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Pain",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Swelling",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Watery eyes",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "None of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Unfortunately, in their early stages neither disease has any noticeable symptoms, and many people are unaware they have a problem until it is detected during an eye exam. Early detection and treatment can help preserve vision in someone with glaucoma. Little can be done to improve eyesight in someone with age-related macular degeneration, but the rate of vision loss can be slowed.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Make an appointment for an eye exam:\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "When you think you need new glasses",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "When you develop a sty",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Every one to four years, depending on your age",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "When your eyes are red and weepy",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "To catch eye problems before they cause irreversible damage, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline exam at age 40, then every two to four years between ages 40 to 54; every one to three years between ages 55 to 64; and every one to two years at 65-plus.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which of these diseases can doctors spot when they dilate your eyes?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "High blood pressure",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Macular degeneration",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Brain tumors",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Dilation drops cause the pupil to widen so the doctor can see the optic nerve and retina at the back of the eye. Even though the eyes remain sensitive to light for hours afterward, experts say the dilation is worth the trouble because doctors can spot a number of diseases — often at early, treatable stages. In addition to high blood pressure and macular degeneration, they can see signs of diabetes, detached retinas, cataracts and certain infectious diseases.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "A scan of blood vessels in the back of the eye may help doctors with early detection of which of these diseases:\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Alzheimer's",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Lou Gehrig's (ALS)",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Lyme",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Parkinson's",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "A scan that measures the density of blood vessels in the back of the eye may help diagnose early Alzheimer's disease, according to a 2019 Duke University study. Researchers found that patients with Alzheimer’s had fewer blood vessels behind their eye, reflecting changes in brain health.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "To protect your eyes from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, look for the following when you buy sunglasses:\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Dark lenses",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Ground and polished lenses",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Polarized lenses",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Labels describing UV absorption levels",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Choose sunglasses based on their ability to stop UV rays from reaching your eyes, not for lens color or manufacturing process. Look for lenses labeled &quot;UV absorption up to 400 nm,&quot; which is equivalent to blocking 100 percent of UV rays; &quot;lenses block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays&quot;; or &quot;lenses meet ANSI Z80.3 blocking requirements.&quot; And a higher price doesn't necessarily mean better protection — inexpensive glasses can be 100 percent UV absorbent. Plus you never lose the cheap ones, do you?\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "How can you protect against eyestrain when using a computer?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Take regular eye breaks",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Face a window for sufficient light",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Wear reading glasses",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Practice relaxation exercises",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Follow the 20-20-20 rule to give your eyes some R and R: After every 20 minutes you spend staring at the computer screen, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Which one of these typical age-related eye changes does not contribute to the increasing difficulty of driving at night?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Eyes become less responsive to changes in light",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Changing focus between near and far objects is more difficult",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "The eye's lens hardens, making it difficult to focus on close objects",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "The ability to adjust from light to dark decreases noticeably",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "This condition, called presbyopia, is a common type of vision disorder that affects just about everyone by middle age. Presbyopia makes it hard to read or see things at close range. Over-the-counter reading glasses are an easy fix for the problem; choose the weakest pair that will allow you to read a newspaper easily.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "Why do people rub their eyes?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "To lubricate dry eyes",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "To ease stress",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "To relieve the itchiness of allergies",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Rubbing stimulates tears to flow, removing dust and other irritants. It also stimulates the vagus nerve to slow down your heart rate, which helps you relax. Rubbing eyes to relieve the itchiness of an eye allergy only makes the itching worse. Try a cool compress instead.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "If you are seeing spots or globs in your vision it may mean:\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Your glasses or contacts need to be adjusted",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "You have floaters",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "The microscopic parasite helminth has invaded your eye",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "You need to cut out your nightly martini",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Floaters are a common eye condition caused by a breakdown in the gel-like material in the eye called the vitreous. In addition to spots, people may see wisps, cobwebs or gray dots. Although floaters are usually harmless, they can signal a more serious problem, such as retinal detachment, which occurs when the retina separates from the back of the eye. If you experience a sudden increase in the number of floaters, along with flashes of light or a veil over your field of vision, see an eye doctor as soon as possible.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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