diagnosing glaucoma

Each and every glaucoma patient has the same question: “Will I go Blind?” And fortunately, the answer for most patients is no. While total blindness is always a possibility with glaucoma, it is fairly rare, with just 120,000 cases of blindness in the United States compared to 2.3 million cases of glaucoma. This represents just 5% of all glaucoma patients in the U.S.

Vision loss, on the other hand, is much more likely.

Even with the best treatment, some degree of vision loss can still occur. The key to successful treatment and minimal vision loss is early detection. And because glaucoma presents no detectable symptoms in its earliest stages, the only way to catch the eye disease early is with regular visits with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Diagnosing Glaucoma

During your routine eye exam, your eye doctor tests you for glaucoma. There are several ways in which your eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma, including:

Non-Contact Tonometry (NCT): You may know this test as the “puff of air” test. This is used to calculate Intraocular Pressure (IOP) based on your eye’s resistance to the air. Normal intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges between 12 and 22 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, a measurement of pressure). If you have high eye pressure, you may be at risk for or have glaucoma.

Visual Field Test: This diagnostic test checks a patient’s side or peripheral vision for blind spots, known as scotomas, which can originate as a result of glaucoma.

Cupping: Your eye doctor will look for damage to your optic nerve, known as “cupping,” which can occur with or without high intraocular pressure.

Pupil Dilation: Your doctor may use dilating drops to enlarge the pupil. And once the drops have taken effect, your eye doctor will use various instruments to look inside your eye.

Anne Arundel Eye Center: Your Annapolis Glaucoma Specialists

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, Dr. Samuel Boles and the eye care experts at the Anne Arundel Eye Center specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. In fact, Dr. Boles has helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. He is also passionate about educating patients and their families regarding prevention and treatment.

“I treat my patients the way I want to be treated when I see a doctor,” said Dr. Boles.

To learn more about Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Source: Understand Your Glaucoma Diagnosis Glaucoma Research Foundation

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To test for glaucoma – an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and peripheral vision – patients identified as at-risk for the condition will undergo a visual field test. For those who have been previously diagnosed with glaucoma, visual field testing is required to track the progression of the disease, monitor potential loss to the visual field, and adjust treatment approaches to ensure proper management of the condition.

Visual field tests evaluate both central and peripheral sight through a series of subjective examinations that measure the entire scope of an individual’s vision. They are utilized to help determine the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focused on a central point. Separately mapping the visual fields of both eyes, it requires the patient to understand and actively participate in the entire test to ensure accurate results.

Considered the gold standard for diagnosing glaucoma, automated perimetry – which is the measurement of visual fields – is one of the most commonly used methods of visual field testing. An advanced computerized examination issued by a trained technician, visual field testing requires the patient to look inside of a concave dome, where white lights of varying intensity will flash one at time in different places around the dome. With one eye covered, the examinee is instructed to press a button when he detects a light, which transmits a signal to the computer, allowing it to adjust the flashes by making them brighter or dimmer. The patient’s reactions help to determine if a visual field defect is present in his eyesight.

Visual field testing is recommended for glaucoma suspects and those who have already been diagnosed with the condition in order to track the progression of the disease on patient eyesight; it is covered by most healthcare insurance plans.

Those at risk for developing glaucoma include those with:

High Myopia (nearsightedness)

Ocular Hypertension (elevated eye pressure)

Thin Cornea – Central corneal thickness less than .5 mm

At Anne Arundel Eye Center, we offer visual field testing for patients with glaucoma or for those who might be at risk for glaucoma, and our doctors are dedicated to educating and informing patients about their condition while offering inclusive treatment and prevention plans.

To learn more about Visual Field Testing for Glaucoma, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, or consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank, and Dr. Corinne Casey, the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Visual Field Test

Understanding your Glaucoma Diagnosis: “Will I go Blind?”

Diagnosing Glaucoma with Visual Field Tests