Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, and untreated damage leads to irreversible vision loss. The condition frequently develops from abnormally high pressure inside the eye. Roughly half of the people who have it do not know they have the disease, and because the most common form advances without early warning signs, regular eye exams help doctors identify glaucoma before significant vision loss occurs.
Understanding Glaucoma Development
Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form in the United States. It develops slowly and painlessly, and patients notice no initial vision changes as the disease progresses. Because glaucoma produces no early symptoms, people can have the disease without a diagnosis, and permanent damage can occur before vision changes appear. Vision loss from glaucoma cannot be restored, so detection before symptoms develop allows treatment to begin earlier.
Early detection lets doctors intervene before symptoms develop. Treatment slows or stops disease progression, and ongoing exams let doctors adjust treatment as the condition changes over time. An eye doctor checks for signs of glaucoma during a routine visit, and because the disease can progress quietly, regular monitoring helps track whether it is stable or advancing.
Measuring Eye Health Precisely
A comprehensive eye examination uses several tests that measure pressure, examine the optic nerve, and check the field of vision. Each test targets a different marker, and the evaluation combines these findings to assess eye health. The standard evaluation includes:
- Tonometry, which measures the pressure inside the eye
- Ophthalmoscopy, which examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
- Perimetry, or visual field testing, which checks for areas of vision loss
- Gonioscopy, which inspects the eye’s internal drainage angle
- Pachymetry, which measures corneal thickness
- Optical coherence tomography, which measures the health of the optic nerve directly
Elevated pressure is a risk factor, and corneal thickness affects pressure readings, so pachymetry helps doctors interpret those measurements. These tests help doctors evaluate for glaucoma, and they can also show whether diagnosed disease is stable or progressing.
Knowing the Risk Groups
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but several groups face a higher risk. Adults over 60 face elevated risk, and African Americans over 40 do as well. A family history of glaucoma raises risk, and high eye pressure or a thin cornea also increases risk.
Exam schedules shift with age and risk. People under 40 with no known risk factors are advised to have a complete eye exam every five to 10 years, and the intervals become shorter with age. Adults 40 to 54 need an exam every one to two years, while adults 55 to 64 need one every one to three years. Adults 65 and older need an exam every one to two years, and African Americans 40 and older follow a one-to-two-year schedule.
Treating Confirmed Cases
Eye drops and laser treatment are used to treat glaucoma. Selective laser treatment provides an alternative to daily drops, and it addresses elevated eye pressure. When drops and laser treatment do not control intraocular pressure, surgery may improve drainage and prevent fluid buildup that raises pressure. The iStent is placed during cataract surgery.
Schedule Your Eye Exam
Regular eye exams help detect glaucoma before significant vision loss occurs. Early detection allows treatment to begin sooner, and ongoing examinations help doctors monitor changes over time. Exam frequency depends on age and risk factors, so following the recommended schedule provides regular opportunities to identify changes. Schedule an eye exam today to learn more.
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