What Happens During a Glaucoma Test? A Step-by-Step Guide

A timely eye exam can reveal more than just your prescription; it can protect your sight. When your doctor recommends a glaucoma test, it’s natural to feel unsure. This simple, gentle process plays a powerful role in detecting vision changes early. Here’s what happens during a glaucoma test and why every step matters for lifelong eye health.

Understanding Glaucoma and Why Testing Matters

Glaucoma is often known as the “silent thief of sight.” It slowly damages the optic nerve, which connects your eyes to your brain. You may not feel any discomfort or notice changes in your vision until the condition is more developed. Early detection is the best protection.

Regular exams are important because they help your doctor catch problems before they cause lasting harm. When your optometrist in Calgary checks your eyes, they look for the earliest signs of pressure or nerve changes. These findings can save your sight and highlight the importance of a thorough glaucoma test procedure.

Preparing for the Eye Exam

A glaucoma test doesn’t require any special preparation. You don’t need to fast, stop medication, or make major adjustments to your schedule.

Here’s what helps before your appointment:

• Bring your current glasses or contact lenses.
• Write down any vision changes you’ve noticed.
• List your medications, including eye drops.
• Share family history of glaucoma or eye disease.

The glaucoma screening process is part of a full eye exam. You’ll meet with a trained professional who guides you through each step, explains what they’re doing, and answers your questions.

Step 1: Measuring Eye Pressure (Tonometry)

The first step is checking the pressure inside your eye. High pressure can be an early warning sign of glaucoma.

Your doctor uses a small tool called a tonometer. It can be done in two ways:

• A quick puff of air across your eye’s surface.
• A gentle touch using a tiny device after numbing drops.

You won’t feel pain, only a light sensation. The goal is to measure how firm your eye is. If pressure is above the normal range, more testing may follow.

Step 2: Examining the Optic Nerve (Ophthalmoscopy)

Next, your doctor looks inside your eye to study the optic nerve. This part connects your eye to your brain and sends visual signals that help you see.

They use a handheld lens and a bright light to view the back of your eye. Sometimes, drops are used to widen your pupil. This gives the doctor a clear view of the nerve’s colour, shape, and contour.

If the nerve looks pale or hollow, it might mean the disease is starting to develop. The eye doctor in Mahogany can document changes and monitor your eye health over time.

Step 3: Checking the Visual Field (Perimetry)

Glaucoma often affects your side vision first. You may not notice until it progresses, so this test maps out how wide your field of view is.

You’ll look into a dome-shaped device and press a button every time you see a light appear. The machine tracks your responses and creates a map of your vision.

Results show if parts of your sight are weaker or missing. This test helps confirm if nerve damage is affecting your ability to see your surroundings.

Step 4: Measuring Corneal Thickness (Pachymetry)

The cornea is the clear outer layer of your eye. Its thickness can influence pressure readings. If it’s thicker or thinner than normal, your doctor may adjust the results for accuracy.

A small probe touches the surface of your numbed eye for just a few seconds. It’s fast, gentle, and gives valuable information about your cornea’s structure.

Knowing this number helps your optometrist in Mahogany interpret the other test results more precisely. It’s one more piece of the puzzle that ensures a correct diagnosis.

Step 5: Scanning the Eye’s Structure (OCT or Imaging Tests)

The final step uses precise imaging to take detailed pictures of the back of your eye. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans the optic nerve and retina with light waves.

These images allow your doctor to measure nerve thickness and detect early damage before symptoms appear. Think of it as an X-ray for your eye, but without radiation or discomfort.

With this data, your doctor builds a complete profile of your eye health. This helps track any changes over time and ensures you receive treatment at the right stage.

What the Results Mean

After the tests, your doctor reviews everything with you. They explain each measurement and what it reveals. If results show early signs of glaucoma, you’ll discuss options like prescription eye drops, laser treatment, or further monitoring.

If everything looks healthy, regular checkups are still vital. Glaucoma can develop slowly, so staying consistent with exams protects your vision for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your eyesight begins with regular exams and early detection. A glaucoma test helps safeguard your vision and ensures long-term eye health. At Premier Eye Care – Mahogany, our caring team provides precise, comfortable testing in a calm setting. Take charge of your sight. Schedule your glaucoma screening today and see the difference attentive care can make.