How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

To diagnose glaucoma, Ophthalmologist needs to perform a comprehensive eye examination along with detailed medical family history of glaucoma. They’ll check for signs of deterioration, including loss of nerve tissue. They may also use one or more of the following tests and procedures:

Puff test – It is a basic glaucoma screening test to estimate eye pressure (normal range - 12 to 22 mmHg).

Tonometry – It measures inner eye pressure using eye numbing drops.

Pachymetry - People with thin corneas have an increased risk of developing glaucoma, so pachymetry test can be used to determine cornea thickness.

Ophthalmoscopy – It is used to look at the shape and color of your optic nerve

Perimetry - a visual field test that checks your peripheral and central vision.

Gonioscopy – It examines the angle in your eye where the iris and the cornea meet

Treatment

Glaucoma is a disease basically due to increased eye pressure so the main focus in early stages of glaucoma is to to reduce pressure in the eye somehow. Regular use of prescription eye drops is the first line of treatment. Some cases with associated medical conditions may require systemic medications, laser treatment, or other surgery. While there is not yet a cure for glaucoma, early diagnosis and continuing treatment can preserve eyesight.

Medications

Nowadays lot of medications is currently available to treat glaucoma. Typically, medications are used to reduce elevated pressure in the eye. A single medication or a combination of medications may be prescribed. The type of medication may change if it is not reducing pressure enough or if the patient is experiencing side effects.

Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures include laser treatment, making a drainage flap in the eye, inserting a drainage valve, or destroying the tissue that creates the fluid in the eye. All procedures aim to reduce the pressure inside the eye when medication is not sufficient. Even though, Surgery cannot reverse vision loss.

Laser surgery

Although few treatments are temporary and need to be repeated but for patient comfort, Laser trabeculoplasty helps fluid drain out of the eye. A high-energy laser beam stimulates the structure that drains fluid from the eye (the trabecular meshwork) so that fluid drains more efficiently.

Conventional surgery

If all other treatments like eye drops and laser surgery aren't controlling eye pressure, the patient may need a trabeculectomy. This filtering microsurgery creates a drainage flap. Fluid can then percolate into the flap and later drain into the vascular system.

Drainage implants

Drainage valve implant surgery may be an option for adults with uncontrolled glaucoma or secondary glaucoma or for children with glaucoma. A small silicone tube is inserted in the eye to help drain fluid.

Treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. Those affected can take medication to reduce eye pressure as quickly as possible. They will also likely undergo a laser procedure called laser peripheral iridotomy. In this procedure, a laser beam creates a small hole in the iris to allow fluid to flow more freely into the front chamber of the eye where it then can drain.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent glaucoma, but catching it early means it can be treated more effectively and vision loss can be minimized. Because, often, there are no symptoms, getting your eyes regularly checked is important; especially for people with a greater risk. Moderate activity like walking or jogging on regular basis might help lower eye pressure. Use protective eyewear when playing sports, outdoor activities in sunny weather or working on home improvement projects.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not a definitive medical advice. Please consult eye doctor about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board certified eye doctor can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.