What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to blind spots and vision loss.
It’s often caused when the aqueous humor (a clear liquid that normally flows in and out of the eye) cannot drain properly, causing pressure, nerve damage, and vision loss. There are different kinds of glaucoma: open angle glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma.
Glaucoma Testing
You might be at risk for glaucoma if you have one or more risk factors: elevated IOP, a family history of glaucoma, an optic nerve condition, are of a particular ethnic background, or are of advanced age.
Regular examinations with your Optometrist are important if you are at risk for this condition. We use state-of-the-art ophthalmic diagnostic equipment to test for glaucoma, including:
Optomap fundus photos (OPTOS): This imaging takes a wide-frame image of the back of your eye, capturing the retina and optic nerve. These images allow your ophthalmologist to see any signs or changes related to glaucoma on your optic nerve. These photos can be taken each time you visit to monitor any differences that may occur between visits. This testing option is not covered under your provincial health care plan in the office.
Visual Fields Test: This is an eye examination that can detect dysfunction in central and peripheral vision, which can be caused by glaucoma. By examining your visual field, your ophthalmologist can often detect defects long before you notice a change in your vision.
Tonometry for Intraocular Pressure (IOP): This procedure allows us to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the eye. It is an important test when evaluating patients at risk for glaucoma — if your IOP is too high, you’re at risk for glaucoma-based vision loss.
OCT Exam: OCT is often used to evaluate optic nerve disorders. The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibres and sends signals from your retina to your brain, where these signals are interpreted as the images you see. This exam helps determine changes to the fibres of the optic nerve, like those caused by glaucoma.
Glaucoma Treatment
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower your eye pressure to prevent or slow further vision loss.
Treatment will be recommended if the risk of vision loss is high enough to justify intervention. Treatment often consists of eye drops, but can include laser treatment or surgery to create a new drain in the eye.
Glaucoma is a chronic disease that can be controlled but not cured. Ongoing monitoring is needed to watch for changes.
