Glaucoma Diagnosed
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Individuals at high risk for glaucoma should have a dilated pupil eye examination at least every two years. Eye doctors use several tests to detect glaucoma; these tests include:
- Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eye. Examples of tonometers include: 1) The air puff or noncontact tonometer emits a puff of air. Eye pressure is measured by the eye’s resistance to the air. 2) The applanation tonometer touches the eye’s surface after the eye has been numbed, and measures the amount of pressure necessary to flatten the cornea. This is the most sensitive tonometer, but a clear, regularly-shaped cornea is needed for it to function properly. 3) The electronic indentation method measures pressure by directly contacting anesthetized eyes with a digital pen-like instrument.
- In pupil dilation, special drops temporarily enlarge the pupil so that the doctor can better view the inside of the eye.
- Visual field testing measures the entire area seen by the forward-looking eye to document straight-ahead (central) and/or side (peripheral) vision. It measures the dimmest light seen at each spot tested. Each time a flash of light is perceived, the patient responds by pressing a button.
- A visual acuity test measures sight at various distances. While seated 20 feet from an eye chart, the patient is asked to read standardized visual charts with each eye, with and without corrective lenses.
- Pachymetry uses an ultrasonic wave instrument to help determine the thickness of the cornea and better evaluate eye pressure.
- Ophthalmoscopy allows the doctor to examine the interior of the eye by looking through the pupil with a special instrument. This can help detect damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma.
- Gonioscopy allows the doctor to view the front part of the eye (anterior chamber) to determine if the iris is closer than normal to the back of the cornea. This test can help diagnose closed-angle glaucoma.
- Optic nerve imaging helps document optic nerve changes over time. An eye doctor may choose to use one or more of the four available scanning techniques, all of which are painless and non-invasive.
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Cataracts Diagnosed
How are cataracts diagnosed?
During a comprehensive, dilated eye exam, your Eye M.D. uses several tests to check for cataracts:
- Slit-lamp: This device uses an intense line of light to illuminate the eye’s cornea, iris, lens and the space between the iris and cornea. The doctor is able to examine the eye in small sections, making it easier to detect abnormalities.
- Retinal exam: When your eye is dilated, the pupils are wide open so the doctor can more clearly see the back of the eye. Using the slit lamp and/ or an instrument called an ophthalmoscope, the doctor looks for signs of cataract and if present, the extent of the clouding. Your Eye M.D. will also look for signs of glaucoma and other potential problems with the retina and optic nerve.
- Refraction and visual acuity test: This refers to the sharpness and clarity of your vision. Each eye is tested individually for the ability to see letters of progressively smaller size. The doctor determines whether you have 20/20 or less acute vision with the best possible glasses during the refraction.
Once I know I have cataracts, what should I do?
- Have an eye exam every year if you’re older than 65, or every two years if younger.
- Protect your eyes from UV light by wearing 100 percent UV blocking sunglasses and a hat.
- If you smoke, quit; smoking can increase cataract progression.
- Use brighter lights for reading and other activities; a magnifying glass may be useful, too.
- Limit night driving once night vision, haloes or glare become problems.
- Take care of any other health problems, especially diabetes.
- Get the right eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision; when it becomes too difficult to complete your regular activities, consider cataract surgery.
Do not use eye drops or other treatments that claim to dissolve or remove cataracts. There is no proven way to dissolve cataracts with eye drops. Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts.
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