What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye, along with decreased nerve fiber tissue within the optic nerve. Glaucoma can be associated with genetic components inherited from family members. If others in your family have been diagnosed with this disorder, it is important that you get yourself checked for any risks. Over time, glaucoma will cause permanent loss of vision, without treatment glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years. Doctors Vision Care has all the necessary tools and technology to check for your risk of glaucoma.
Are you at high risk for Glaucoma?
- If you are over the age of 40 and if you have a family history of glaucoma.
- The Glaucoma Research Foundation recommends that African-Americans get a thorough check for glaucoma every one to two years after age 35.
- If you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Hispanic Americans in older age groups are also at greater risk for glaucoma.
- Steroid Users – adults who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma have an increased incidence of glaucoma.
- Eye Injury – Injury to the eye may cause secondary open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.
How Does Glaucoma Testing Work?
Glaucoma testing includes a number of different tests which determine someone’s risk for developing glaucoma, as well as, the diagnosis of the disease itself.
This testing includes measuring the internal eye pressure, with a puff of air or with direct contact on the front surface.
While increased eye pressure is a key indicator of the disease, it does not necessarily mean you have a glaucoma diagnosis. This is where additional testing is necessary. This additional testing measures the tissue of your optic nerve, and if any of it is less than normal. Another necessary test that confirms the diagnosis of glaucoma is called a visual field. A visual field is a machine which checks the peripheral vision of the eye – the vision that is initially affected by glaucoma.
So “true” glaucoma testing actually includes all of these tests to provide a comprehensive check of the health of the optic nerve and the eye.
Glaucoma can cause slight to severe vision loss, and is often discovered only after the disease is present—that’s why glaucoma testing is so important. If you have any concerns about glaucoma, please book your eye exam with Doctors Vision Care today!