What You Should Know About
Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye. It tends to be inherited, and you should check if others in your family have been diagnosed with this disorder. Over time, glaucoma will cause permanent vision loss, and without treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years.

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Are You at High Risk for Glaucoma?

  • If you are over the age of 40 and if you have a family history of glaucoma.
  • GRF recommends that African-Americans get a thorough check for glaucoma every one to two years after age 35.
  • Talk to family members about glaucoma. If family members have glaucoma, then your glaucoma risk is increased.
  • If you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Hispanic Americans in older age groups are also at greater risk for glaucoma.
  • Steroid Users – adults who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma have an increased incidence of glaucoma.
  • Eye Injury – Injury to the eye may cause secondary open-angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or years later.

Maybe You Need a Glaucoma Test?

What is a Glaucoma test? Glaucoma testing involves measuring internal eye pressure and a detailed retina scan for signs of disease.

  • Only a comprehensive eye health exam can reveal whether or not you have glaucoma.
  • Increased pressure inside the eye is often a key indicator of glaucoma, though not exclusively.
  • Eye doctors can use many tests for eye pressure but will, by default, check for signs of glaucoma as part of a detailed exam
  • Examining the retina—the light sensitive area at the back of the eye responsible for processing images- is the only way you will know you have glaucoma.

How Does Glaucoma Testing Work?

Two types of Glaucoma tests measure the eye's internal pressure, but one is much more accurate than the other.

One glaucoma test involves

measuring what happens when a puff of air is blown across the eye's surface. (A puff test) Another test uses a special device (in conjunction with eye-numbing drops) to “touch” the eye's surface to measure eye pressure.

While increased eye pressure is a crucial indicator of the disease, it does not necessarily mean you have a glaucoma diagnosis. The only way to detect glaucoma is to have a comprehensive eye health exam that often includes dilation of the pupils.

So “true” glaucoma testing involves examining the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye for signs of the disease.

Learn More

Glaucoma can cause slight to severe vision loss and is often discovered only after the disease is present—that’s why glaucoma testing is so important

Read more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for glaucoma.

Special thanks to the EyeGlass Guide for the informational material that aided in creating this website. Visit the EyeGlass Guide today!

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