According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is about six to eight times more common in African Americans than their white counterparts. Now, new research suggests that black people with glaucoma have a higher risk of dying from heart and vascular disease than white people.

African Americans between the ages of 20 and 29 should be screened for glaucoma every three to five years; those over 30 should be screened every two to four years.

To learn more about glaucoma’s causes, risk factors and treatments, visit the Mayo Clinic website for more info, or check out “Site for Sore Eyes” in the current issue of Real Health.