What Are the Common Glaucoma Tests? Glaucoma Screening

You can prevent chronic eye diseases and regular eye treatments comfortably. However, some eye conditions are genetic, and their symptoms are not visible in the early stages. For example, glaucoma is a condition caused by eye pressure that can result in loss of vision. Glaucoma is painless and displays no symptoms early, making it essential for you to get glaucoma screening frequently to detect and prevent the condition.

The most common tests to detect glaucoma are mentioned in this article for your reference. Kindly continue reading to learn more about how to care for your eyes if you fear glaucoma.

Most Common Tests for Glaucoma

Here are some common tests to detect Glaucoma:

1. Eye Pressure Measurement

When detecting glaucoma, a highly accurate test executed by using tools called a tonometer is performed by glaucoma evaluation. Our eye doctor takes help from a pencil-shaped device to contact the surface of the eye. The test doesn’t hurt because your eyes are numbed with eyedrops. The test merely requires a few seconds but requires you to sit still breathing normally during the measurement. An alternative method of testing is using an instrument that blows a puff of fair in your eyes to identify pressure inside the eyeballs. The test is safe with negligible chances of your cornea getting scratched when the instrument contacts your eyes.

2. Optic Nerve Damage

Our eye doctor dilates your pupils with eye drops to detect optic nerve damage when performing ophthalmoscopy. After that, they use a medical device with a light and unique magnifying lens to check for optical damage. Some doctors take a 3D view of the optic nerve for better assessment and to determine the status of glaucoma. This test requires approximately five to ten minutes, and you might experience temporary discomfort. The eyedrops the doctor puts in your eyes to dilate the pupils make your vision hazy after the test and keep your eyes dilated for a few hours. You might require wearing sunglasses when going out and be restricted from driving temporarily.

3. Corneal Thickness by Pachymetry

Corneal thickness is measured by a tiny device called a pachymeter. If you have a thin cornea, you are at an increased risk of glaucoma. The test helps diagnose corneal thickness because it influences the eye pressure readings. Pachymetry merely requires a minute to measure the eyes, and the procedure is straightforward and painless as you receive eyedrops.

4. Peripheral Side Vision Using Perimetry

When mapping your entire field of vision, perimetry helps the doctor visualize the periphery of your visual field. The test determines whether your eyes are susceptible to glaucoma. When performing this test, you receive instructions from the doctor to look at the screen and indicate to the examiner when you see the light passing through your peripheral vision. Occasionally you might feel a delay in detecting the light when it moves through your blind spot. However, you must sit back and relax, being attentive during the test for precise results. Peripheral side vision measures the peripheral and central vision requiring approximately five to ten minutes for each eye, and the procedure is repeated several times to ensure accurate results.

5. Gonioscopy

When determining the drainage angle of your eyes, our eye doctor in Calgary performs a test with a handheld mirrored contact lens to determine the angle of your cornea and Iris. If the angle is too wide, it indicates open-angle glaucoma. However, if the angle is too narrow, it is an indicator of closed-angle glaucoma. Your eyes are numbed during the test, and the device helps check the inside of the eye from all directions and angles between the cornea and Iris. Fortunately, the procedure is straightforward and painless.

Although the tests mentioned above help detect glaucoma, the condition is not fully curable. You might receive glaucoma treatment, but the therapy is to prevent significant vision loss with medications, laser eye treatments, and surgery. However, it is essential to get yourself tested frequently to discover and deal with glaucoma to prevent complete vision loss.

When providing glaucoma treatment, our eye doctor might choose to lower eye pressure through eyedrops, improve fluid drainage in the eye, or lower liquids produced by the eyes through surgical intervention.

Get a Glaucoma Evaluation Near You

If you suspect you or a family member has glaucoma, you can have a glaucoma screening in Calgary by visiting Premier Eye Care — Mahogany and even receive glaucoma treatment in Calgary for the situation from a team of experienced doctors. Kindly schedule your appointment with this practice today to determine whether you have glaucoma.