Glaucoma Diagnosis Test: How Glaucoma is Diagnosed and What Does It Mean
What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease characterised by increasing eye pressure (inside the eyeball). If left untreated, the pressure can damage critical parts of the eye resulting in permanent vision loss/blindness. There are many underlying causes of glaucoma with most of them being treatable. Most importantly, an eye exam can detect glaucoma and provide careful management and treatment¹.
There are two main types of glaucoma²:
- Open-angle glaucoma: This type of glaucoma happens gradually and is the most common. It is painless with no vision changes initially.
- Angle-closure glaucoma (closed angle glaucoma): This type of glaucoma happens suddenly, requiring emergency eye services. Angle-closure glaucoma causes a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. If medical attention is not sought right away, the condition can cause loss of vision.
What Is Usually the First Sign of Glaucoma?
In many cases, glaucoma won’t have symptoms at the onset. For this reason, the condition can go unnoticed for some time as it progresses slowly over the years. Oftentimes people don’t notice they have glaucoma until they go for regular eye exams or experience the first signs of the disease i.e., peripheral vision loss affecting the edges of the field of vision³.
Other initial signs of glaucoma include blurred vision and rainbow-coloured circles or halos around lights.
Sudden signs of Glaucoma
In rare cases, glaucoma can develop suddenly causing symptoms like:
- Red eye/s
- Headaches
- Severe eye pain
- Tenderness around the eyes
- Rings around lights
- Blurry vision
- Nausea and vomiting
Whether glaucoma develops gradually or suddenly, the disease comes with a range of symptoms that are also linked to other eye diseases. For this reason, you need a special eye exam to diagnose glaucoma.
What Is a Glaucoma Test?
As mentioned, glaucoma is characterized by damage to critical parts of the eye such as the optic nerve. A glaucoma test is a special eye assessment that examines the optic nerve through speciality imaging to see if it is damaged. The specialty imaging also observes other aspects of eye health.
A glaucoma test is a quick and painless procedure which includes a variety of assessments that check eye pressure, pupil dilation, corneal thickness, and optic nerve condition. Visual field testing is also done and recommended.⁴
For a thorough glaucoma test in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, visit Kodak Lens Vision Centres.
Our Available Glaucoma Diagnostic Tests at Kodak Lens Vision Centre
If you visit Kodak Lens Vision Centres for a glaucoma eye exam, you can expect the following types of glaucoma tests at your convenience:
1. OCT Imaging & Eye Exam
OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography. An OCT imaging and eye exam is similar to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but for your eye’s structures. The exam allows Optometrists to see the eye structures instantly without harming the eye in any way. OCT imaging doesn’t produce any harmful radiation.
The imaging is done using highly specialized equipment where our eye doctor can examine the cornea, optic nerve, and many other parts of the eye (including layers of the retina) in detail. OCT imaging is painless and results in images that can be examined in detail to offer a timely and immediate glaucoma diagnosis or any related eye conditions i.e., macular disorders and diabetic retinopathy.
When done routinely (as part of a comprehensive eye exam), an OCT exam will help your eye doctor monitor any ocular and eye health changes.
Kodak Lens Vision Centres are part of the established vision centres in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area offering OCT exams that allow for quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in Toronto and neighbouring environs.
2. Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer
Since one of the first signs of glaucoma is peripheral vision challenges, a visual field test is done to detect defects in a person’s peripheral vision early on. A visual field analyzer test at our Kodak Lens Vision Centres will determine the full vertical and horizontal range of a person’s vision.
In glaucoma patients, this range of vision (side vision) usually has blind spots (also known as scotomas). However, blind spots can also be linked to other eye diseases. Fortunately, the shape and size of the blind spot as well as OCT exam results should tell your Optometrist with certainty if it is glaucoma or not.
Important: While the above tests are meant to diagnose glaucoma, Optometrists at Kodak Vision Lens Centres can recommend other tests deemed necessary, especially when checking for other eye conditions.
Glaucoma Treatment
If glaucoma screening confirms the presence of the condition, it is time for treatment. The treatment options include:
1. Eye Drops for Glaucoma
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), there are specific eye drops for glaucoma that are helpful in treating the condition or underlying symptoms/causes⁵. However, the eye drops should be used as prescribed by an eye medical doctor known as an ophthalmologist.
The main types of eye drops for glaucoma include:
1) Alpha agonists eye drops for glaucoma: These types of eye drops work by reducing excess fluid that the eyes produce, thus alleviating intraocular pressure (a leading cause of glaucoma).
2) Beta-blockers: This type also reduces the amount of fluid the eye produces by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors responsible for stimulating the production of the fluid that nourishes the eye (aqueous fluid).
3) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Ophthalmologist may also prescribe inhibitors as an eye drop or pill to also reduce the amount of fluid your eye produces to help lower eye pressure and save vision.
4) Miotics eye drops for glaucoma: These types of eye drops work by constricting the pupil (making it smaller) which helps to drain fluid out the eye and reduce pressure.
5) Prostaglandin analogs: These types of medicated eye drops also assist in draining fluid out of the eyes.
Important: As mentioned, never self-prescribe eye drops for glaucoma. They should be used exactly as prescribed by a medical doctor.
2. Glaucoma Laser Eye Surgery
Glaucoma can also be treated through a special type of laser eye surgery: Glaucoma STL (selective laser trabeculoplasty). This type of laser eye surgery uses a laser to create microscopic bursts of energy in the trabecular meshwork (drainage pathways) of the eyes. The laser opens drainage holes in the meshwork and allows fluid to drain better through them. The procedure can lower eye pressure and help prevent more damage to the optic nerve, which can reduce loss of vision. By allowing effective fluid drainage, the reduced eye pressure prevents further glaucoma damage.
Find out more about glaucoma laser treatment/glaucoma surgery by booking an appointment or calling 647-952-1099.
Final Thoughts
According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in Canada. Latest studies show that over 450,000 Canadians have the condition⁶. Luckily, glaucoma is treatable.
The condition is also detectable through regular eye examinations. Given the prevalence risk for glaucoma and considering most people who have the condition don’t exhibit symptoms, the importance of routine eye checks can’t be overemphasized.
At Kodak Lens Vision Centres we have advanced glaucoma testing technology, including OCT equipment to help discover, manage, and monitor any signs of glaucoma. We help with all vision conditions by providing a variety of eye care and vision correction services including getting eyeglasses and specialty contact lenses. Reach out to check your visual health and ensure your eyes are as healthy as possible to ensure you’re seeing the best for success.