Glaucoma Testing
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an umbrella term, which covers a group of diseases with a characteristic pattern of optic nerve damage. The optic nerve is the bundle of nerve fibers at the back of the eye that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain.
There are many types of glaucoma classified by clinical exams. The most common one is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients with POAG most commonly experience no symptoms at all until the disease progresses to an advanced stage.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
The most common symptoms of the advanced disease include side vision loss and diminished quality of vision, which can significantly impair daily activities, including driving. The currently available treatments have been proven effective in slowing down the disease, but not in reversing optic nerve damage.
In order to avoid such irreversible visual debilitation, it is important to have your eyes examined for glaucoma by an eye doctor, especially if you carry some of the known risk factors, such as family history of the disease. It is crucial to have some basic understanding of the tests for glaucoma so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment options under the guidance of your doctor.
If you have any such symptoms, please schedule an appointment with us today.