Glaucoma is a complicated disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness.
Glaucoma is the generalized name for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve of the eye, preventing the eye from sending accurate visual information to the brain. Glaucoma tests are designed to test your eyes for one of the key symptoms of the disease—increased eye pressure—however only a comprehensive eye exam can reveal whether or not you have glaucoma. Increased pressure inside the eye is often a key indicator of glaucoma, though not exclusively so. Eye doctors can use a number of tests for eye pressure, but will, by default, check for signs of glaucoma as part of a detailed examination of the retina—the light sensitive area at the back of the eye responsible for processing images.
How Does Glaucoma Testing Work?
A glaucoma test is usually part of a routine comprehensive eye exam. Both types of glaucoma tests measure the internal pressure of the eye.
For screening for glaucoma, we use an advanced noninvasive tonometer(I CARE) to gently check the pressure of the eye as without using a numbing eye drop. Another well-recognized test uses a special device called Goldman tonometer (in conjunction with eye-numbing drops) to measure eye pressure.
For better and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma we also use other tests include Visual Field test, OCT( Optical Coherence Tomography), Gonioscopy and Pachymetry.
While increased eye pressure is a key indicator of the disease, it does not necessarily mean you have a glaucoma diagnosis. In fact, the only way to detect glaucoma is to have a detailed, comprehensive eye exam that often includes dilation of the pupils. ,
So “true” glaucoma testing actually involves examining the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye for signs of the disease.
Glaucoma Treatment
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Glaucoma can cause slight to severe vision loss, and is often discovered only after the disease is present—that’s why glaucoma testing is so important.