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    GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY: “How to Know if You Have Glaucoma” 

    Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that often has no symptoms. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide along with other conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. However, unlike cataracts that can be treated to restore vision, glaucoma causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Often referred to as the silent thief of sight, glaucoma progresses slowly without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred. Early detection and intervention are both crucial and necessary. To find out how to know if you have glaucoma, you will need a comprehensive eye exam. Contact Skyline Vision Clinic by 719-630-3937 or fill out an appointment form online at WEBSITE. When you come in for your eye exam, your ophthalmologist will run a series of tests to safely and accurately diagnose glaucoma:

    • Tonometry: Also referred to as an eye pressure test, tonometry measures intraocular pressure, the fluid pressure inside the eye that is maintained by balancing the production and drainage of aqueous humor (the clear fluid in the eye). Abnormal levels can signal an increased risk for developing glaucoma. The most common method, applanation tonometry, uses a small probe to gently flatten part of the cornea to calculate IOP. A non-contact form of tonometry is the air puff test that releases a quick puff of air into the eye where a machine measures how the cornea responds to air pressure. While not as precise, it is a popular alternative to applanation as it is non-invasive and does not require numbing drops. 
    • Ophthalmoscopy: A handheld device called an ophthalmoscope is used to shine a beam of light through the dilated pupil to get a better, magnified view of the back of the eye. This key tool helps examine the retina, optic disc, macula and blood vessels. 
    • Perimetry: This diagnostic procedure is known as a visual field test that assesses a person’s field of vision, particularly the peripheral vision. This test is often performed to detect blind spots or areas of reduced vision which may be associated with glaucoma. 
    • Gonioscopy: This test is an examination of the angle of the eye where the iris (the colored part of the eye) meets the cornea. This angle is significant because it contains the drainage system where the aqueous humor exists. Proper drainage is important for maintaining normal intraocular pressure because blockages can lead to glaucoma. Gonioscopy is primarily used to diagnose glaucoma with a specialized contact lens, particularly to differentiate between open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. 
    • Pachymetry: A corneal thickness test, doctors use it to gauge and adjust intraocular pressure readings to get a more accurate assessment of a person’s true eye pressure. People with thin corneas may be at a higher risk for glaucoma. 

    Tests used to assess the eye and diagnose glaucoma are quick and painless. Be sure to include them in your next eye exam as early treatment helps slow the progression of glaucoma, especially with less invasive treatments like eye drops or laser therapy, giving patients a better chance of effectively managing the disease and preserving remaining vision.