- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Eyelid Surgery
- Cosmetic Treatments
- Refractive Surgery
- Eye Conditions
Glaucoma Diagnosis
The diagnosis of glaucoma is made on the basis of a medical history, examination of the eye and specialised tests and imaging techniques.
History
I ask about:
- The presence or absence of eye symptoms
- Need for glasses
- Previous eye problems or treatment
- General medical condition
- Medications
- Family history of glaucoma
Examination
I look carefully at the whole eye, though particularly important aspects of the examination are measurement of eye pressure, the appearance of the trabecular meshwork and the appearance of the optic disc.
You are advised not to drive to clinic appointments because pupil dilating drops used during the examination can temporarily blur your vision.
The examination is painless.
Specialised Tests and Imaging Techniques
This measures the extent of your field of vision (peripheral vision) on each side of an object you are looking at. The test takes about 10 minutes per eye and is painless. You will be asked to sit at a screen and keep your gaze fixed on a small central light. You will be asked to indicate (by pressing a button) if you can see a series of other lights. This test detects if there are any missing areas in your visual field caused by damage to the optic nerve.
Examples of the ‘normal’ visual field, followed by progressive glaucomatous visual field loss are shown below.
Known as ‘pachymetry’, this is a painless test, which takes a few seconds. It measures the thickness of the central cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye). There is evidence that the thickness of the cornea may be a risk factor for glaucoma.
Stereoscopic colour photographs of the optic disc will be taken and are kept in your file (examples are shown below). These can be used for comparative purposes in the event of possible future change.
Ocular coherence tomography provides a computer-generated map and analysis of the optic disc. It can help make the diagnosis and monitor change.
Known as 'tonometry', measurement of eye pressure is a painless test taking a few seconds.
