Table 3.

Indicating the survey questions and responses (in rounded brackets) from 183 glaucoma suspects (47–79 years, mean 64 ± 8.2 years, 58% female). Also shown (in squared brackets) are the responses to the questionnaire from 100 consecutive non-glaucomatous patients attending for the correction of refractive error (13–78 years, mean age 52.5 ± 14, 54% female)³⁶ (which are reproduced here with the kind permission of Optometric Association Australia).

1. How often do you rub your eyes? For example when they feel itchy?

Never (15%) [14%]; Monthly (18%) [7%]; Weekly (26%) [22%]; Daily (34%) [47%]; Hourly (4%) [9%]; More than hourly (2%) [1%].

2. If you rub your eyes do you mostly rub the:

Right eye? (22%) [14%]; Left eye? (14%) [4%]; Both equally? (64%) [68%].

3. How often do you wipe your watery eyes with a tissue or handkerchief?

Never (48%) [45%]; Monthly (18%) [16%]; Weekly (14%) [17%]; Daily (16%) [17%]; Hourly (3%) [5%]; More than hourly (1%) [1%].

4. Which eye do you need to wipe the most frequently?

Right? (21%) [10%]; Left? (24%) [4%]; Both equally? (54%) [41%].

5. What is your favourite position for sleeping?

On your back? (11%); On your right side? (45%); On your left side? (33%); On your stomach? (10%).

6. How often do you sleep on your stomach with your head to the side?

Never (67%) [49%]; Monthly (10%) [7%]; Weekly (11%) [12%]; Daily (12%) [32%].

7. When sleeping on your stomach do you prefer to have your head turned to the

Right side? (28%) [20%]; Left side? (20%) [22%]; Both equally? (52%) [10%].

8. How often do you do physical exercises like sit-ups, or push-ups, and/or weight lifting?

Never (48%) [41%]; Monthly (7%) [14%]; Weekly (36%) [28%]; Daily (9%) [17%].

9. Do you ever do yoga exercises such as head stands, back bend, or lying-down poses etc.?

Never (88%) [94%]; Monthly (4%) [3%]; Weekly (6%) [2%]; Daily (2%) [1%].

10. Do you wear spectacles and/or contact lenses for seeing in the distance? Yes or No

How often do you wear spectacles for seeing in the distance?

Never (25%) [58%]; Sometimes (8%) [4%]; Fairly often (3%) [2%]; Frequently (4%) [2%]; Very frequently (4%) [5%]; Routinely (56%) [29%].

11. How often do you swim wearing swimming goggles?

Never (78%) [81%]; Monthly (11%) [13%]; Weekly (9%) [4%]; Daily (1%) [2%].