Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that can result in permanent loss of vision without treatment. To diagnose and manage glaucoma, there are several tests that are done at the time of diagnosis and repeated regularly.
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve by having increased pressure in the eyes.
If the optic nerve is damaged, it can result in a loss of vision in part of or all of the visual field.
Glaucoma is most common in African Americans and is more common with increased age.
An eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma from an eye examination and supporting technological tests.
Diagnosing Glaucoma
In an eye exam, glaucoma screening can include measuring the intraocular eye pressure, evaluating the visual field, and examining the optic nerve and retina.
In any comprehensive eye exam, these screening tests are performed, and the results are analyzed by the doctor.
If the results are indicative of a possibility of glaucoma, the doctor may repeat the tests or have you return another day to repeat the tests.
In addition to repeating the screening tests, there are additional tests that are frequently performed on anyone suspected of having glaucoma.
Technological Tests for Glaucoma
Advanced technological testing is indicated if the screening tests from an eye examination indicate the possibility of glaucoma.
These tests include an automated visual field, a measurement of the thickness of the cornea, a retinal scan using an OCT, and a photograph of the retina and optic nerve.
Automated Visual Field Testing for Glaucoma
As glaucoma affects the peripheral visual field before the central portion of vision, an automated visual field can detect changes to the visual field that are not noticed by the patient.
For this test, the patient has a button to click every time they see a light presented in their view while looking at the center light which does not move.
Many doctors will repeat automated visual field testing every year or more frequently to monitor for changes in the vision of glaucoma patients or suspects.
Measuring the Thickness of the Cornea
Before diagnosing glaucoma, the thickness of the central cornea is typically measured a single time.
This measurement allows to determine if there is an underlying reason for the eye pressure to be falsely low or falsely high.
To measure this thickness, an instrument takes a laser scan of the front of the eye and uses the scan to determine the thickness of the cornea.
This measurement is only performed once by most doctors.
Retinal Scans with OCT and Retina Photographs
An OCT is a special instrument that operates similar to an ultrasound. It allows a visualization of the depth of the retina and optic nerve.
Since glaucoma affects the retina and optic nerve by compression, the OCT allows early detection of these changes based on the shape and thickness of the retinal nerve fibers.
A retinal or optic nerve photograph is used to have a documented image of the health of the eye to monitor for changes over time.
Both an OCT and photograph can be performed yearly or more frequently if needed.
Importance of Follow Ups
Since glaucoma is a slowly progressive disease, it is imperative that anyone with glaucoma or suspected of glaucoma attend any and all follow up appointments.
At these appointments, testing may be performed and the doctor can monitor for changes in the disease.
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