5 Tests Your Doctor Will Use To Diagnose Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can destroy the optic nerve, usually as a result of high eye pressure, and it’s one of the most common causes of adult blindness. Detection should happen early because vision loss from glaucoma cannot be regained. Therefore, eye exams, including glaucoma screening, are recommended. If you are in Calgary and have concerns regarding your eye health, you may go to your Calgary glasses stores to speak with an optometrist, but your physician will most likely administer a few tests to screen for glaucoma. Knowing the various techniques applied to diagnose the condition will better prepare you for your subsequent eye examination.

1. Tonometry: Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Measurement

The most frequent and initial test for glaucoma is tonometry, which evaluates the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP). One of the main risk factors for glaucoma is elevated IOP, yet normal eye pressure may coexist with glaucoma. Your eye specialist will instill a little local anesthetic in the eye during a tonometry examination to avoid any discomfort. Next, a small instrument is carefully placed on the surface of your eye, or a puff of air is blown to take the pressure. This rapid and harmless test is usually the initial step in diagnosing glaucoma.

2. Ophthalmoscopy: Examining the Optic Nerve

After the pressure within your eye has been taken, your physician will employ ophthalmoscopy to examine the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain and, if injured, may result in permanent loss of vision. In conducting this test, your physician uses a special instrument known as an ophthalmoscope to reflect light into your eye and look at the colour and shape of the optic nerve. Any irregularities in the look of the optic nerve may indicate glaucoma, so further testing will be done.

3. Perimetry (Visual Field Test): Testing Your Peripheral Vision

One of the first signs of glaucoma is the loss of peripheral vision, which may not be immediately apparent. Your physician will employ perimetry or a visual field test to test this. This test checks your whole range of vision, from central to peripheral vision, and can identify any blind spots that may be caused by glaucoma. You will be asked to look directly ahead and respond when you notice a flash of light in your peripheral vision. This is done several times to confirm the accuracy of the findings. The test can assist your physician to know whether there is any peripheral vision damage that is associated with glaucoma.

4. Pachymetry: Corneal Thickness Measurement

Pachymetry is a procedure that tests the thickness of your cornea, the transparent layer on the front of your eye. Corneal thickness contributes to eye pressure measurements since a thinner cornea can cause falsely low-pressure readings, and a thicker cornea can cause falsely elevated readings. By measuring the cornea’s thickness, your physician can obtain a more precise assessment of your eye pressure and provide a more precise diagnosis of glaucoma. This is a simple, painless ultrasound test to measure corneal thickness.

5. Gonioscopy: Measurement of the Eye’s Angle

Gonioscopy is a test that tests the eye’s drainage angle, which helps manage intraocular pressure. The drainage pathway may become plugged or impaired with glaucoma, leading to raised pressure. In gonioscopy, your physician will use a numbing eye drop and a special lens to inspect the angle between the iris and cornea. This examination is critical to determine if an individual has open-angle glaucoma (the most prevalent type) or angle-closure glaucoma (a less prevalent but more dangerous type that must be treated immediately).

Glaucoma Testing: What You Should Know

If you have glaucoma concerns, inquire about glaucoma testing Calgary with your eye care provider. Regular eye exams, particularly as you age, can catch glaucoma in its early form when it is most responsive to treatment. Remember that others are more at risk than you, such as those with a history of the disease in the family, individuals who have hypertension, and patients older than age 60. Your eye health practitioner will administer a combination of the above diagnostic tests to diagnose glaucoma best and initiate proper treatment. 

Conclusion

Glaucoma is an advanced eye disorder that needs early detection to avoid vision loss that can be irreversible. The five tests mentioned above—tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, perimetry, pachymetry, and gonioscopy—are all performed by your physician to determine whether you have glaucoma. Regular eye checks, especially as you age or are more likely to develop the disease, are essential to maintaining healthy eyes. By being proactive about your eyes, you can detect glaucoma early on and save your vision for years.