Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause irreversible visual impairment if left untreated. To avoid this, it's important to have your eyes examined by an eye doctor for glaucoma, especially if you have some of the known risk factors, such as a family history of the disease. One of the tests used to detect glaucoma is a glaucoma test, which looks closely at the eye's drainage system to determine if you're at risk for acute closed-angle glaucoma. The glaucoma test is performed by an eye doctor and begins with the use of eye drops to numb the eye.
Then, a special lens is used to touch the cornea and determine if the angle is open or closed. If the angle is closed, it may indicate glaucoma. This test is also known as gonioscopy. The doctor then measures intraocular pressure (IOP) using a technique called tonometry.
This involves numbing the surface of the eye with eye drops and then using an instrument (or sometimes a puff of air) to press on the surface of the eye. In addition to looking at the angle, gonioscopy can detect any abnormal blood vessels or any damage caused by previous trauma. Pachymetry measures the thickness of the cornea and can influence IOP readings. If the optometrist knows the thickness of the cornea, he can better understand the pressure inside the eyes.
Glaucoma is usually detected during a routine eye test, often before it causes any noticeable symptoms. If glaucoma is detected during an eye test, you should be referred to a specialist eye doctor for further testing. By looking closely at the eye's drainage system, your doctor will be able to see what type of glaucoma is at play and determine if you're at risk for acute closed-angle glaucoma.
