Eye Exams For Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that damages your eye's optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up and increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause blindness.
Some forms of glaucoma have no symptoms. If it has been a while since your last comprehensive eye exam schedule one today! We will complete a thorough examination of the health of your eye and test for any vision problems.

Risk Factors of Glaucoma Include
High internal eye pressure
Age: Glaucoma is More Common in People Over 60
A Family History of Glaucoma​
Medical Conditions, Such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, and High Blood Pressure
Being extremely Nearsighted or Farsighted
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition has progressed to an advanced stage.
​
Open-angle glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma and has no symptoms until the condition has progressed.
If you noticed the following symptoms, schedule an appointment for an evaluation.
​
-
Patchy blind spots in your side (peripheral) or central vision, frequently in both eyes
-
Tunnel vision in the advanced stages
​
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
This form of glaucoma is less common but can cause vision loss quickly and can be painful. It occurs when the iris, the colored part of the eye, is too close to the drainage angle, where the fluid leaves the eye. When the fluid is unable to drain, pressure builds very quickly and is considered an acute attack. This should be addressed immediately.
​
Signs of an acute attack include:
-
Severe headache
-
Eye pain
-
Nausea and vomiting
-
Blurred vision
-
Halos around lights
-
Eye redness
​
Because vision loss due to glaucoma can't be recovered, it's important to have regular eye exams that include eye pressure measurements so a diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will review your medical history and conduct a comprehensive eye examination. He or she may perform several tests, including:
​
-
Measuring intraocular pressure (tonometry)
-
Testing for optic nerve damage with a dilated eye examination and imaging tests
-
Checking for areas of vision loss (visual field test)
-
Measuring corneal thickness (pachymetry)
-
Inspecting the drainage angle (gonioscopy)
​
Glaucoma can be a scary condition, but it is possible to catch it early with regular eye exams and special testing for at risk patients. Call us today to schedule an eye exam and let your optometrist know if you have been diagnosed with or have a family history of glaucoma.