Vision loss from glaucoma may be prevented if diagnosed early
A complete eye exam includes a check for glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disease usually triggered by elevated pressure in the eye.
Glaucoma can cause vision loss, often without any warning signs or symptoms.
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Regulareye exams, including specific glaucoma tests, are important for the early detection of glaucoma.
If diagnosed early enough, glaucoma can be properly managed to prevent major loss of vision.
This article reviews six tests used to help detect glaucoma.
Havingeye pressure higher than normalputs you at higher risk forglaucoma.
But it’s not a definite diagnosis of glaucoma.
Ophthalmoscopy
Ophthalmoscopyis used to examine the inside of the eye.
What to Expect
An ophthalmoscopy can be performed on adilatedor undilated eye.
An eye doctor uses special magnifying lenses and medical devices to view the optic nerve.
The color, shape, and overall health of the optic nerve is important in glaucoma assessment.
The doctor may also use a digital camera to photograph the optic nerve.
Gonioscopy examines the angle where the cornea meets the iris.
Gonioscopy can also be completed usingoptical coherence tomography.
During a visual field test:
Most visual field testing today is computerized.
Visual field testing usually needs to be repeated several times before the doctor can make a valid assessment.
Who Needs This Test?
It can also indicate if a persons glaucoma is progressively becoming worse.
Pachymetry
Pachymetry is a method thatmeasures the thickness of the cornea.
The thickness of the cornea seems to influence the eye pressure reading when tonometry is performed.
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