March 31, 2021

Although glaucoma is a serious eye condition that you cannot detect on your own. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology stresses the importance of routine eye exams in spotting early symptoms of glaucoma. People in their 40s may start to experience early changes in their vision. If you want to understand the care methods and diagnostic techniques for glaucoma, here’s what you should know.

 

The Diagnostic Exams

Glaucoma is difficult to catch. It is important to have several diagnostic exams to spot and confirm this eye condition. Here are the crucial diagnostic exams that your eye expert may use:

 

Pachymetry: This is a painless test that measures the thickness of your cornea. Your eye specialist determines your IOP by placing a pachymeter on your cornea. Experts say that corneal thickness can influence your IOP (intraocular pressure).

 

Ophthalmoscopy: This method aids in assessing optic nerve damage. Your eye specialist will use dilating eye drops to see the color and shape of your optic nerve.

 

Tonometry: This test also measures your IOP. To make it painless, your eye doctor will administer numbing eye drops first. The tonometer will give off a warm puff of air on your eye to measure your IOP.

 

Gonioscopy:  This helps see if the angle between your cornea and iris. Numbing eye drops will help your eye doctor use a hand-held contact lens on your eye. This test sees whether the angle is open or closed.

 

Perimetry: This is a test that measures your visual field. It can tell your ophthalmologist if glaucoma is already affecting your vision. You should respond while maintaining relaxation.

 

Available Care Methods

Glaucoma causes permanent eye damage. If you go to our routine eye exams, you can help catch and treat your glaucoma early. Below are the available treatments for this serious eye disease:

 

Prescription eye drops: These medications decrease your IOP by either reducing the amount of fluid in your eyes or improving the drainage of fluid from your eyes. Your eye specialist will determine the type of eye drops that you need. It is common for you to have more than one type of eye drops. Prostaglandins, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and beta-blockers are examples of these eye drops.

 

Oral Medications: Ophthalmologists usually prescribe oral medications if prescription eye drops are not enough to bring your IOP down. These medications reduce the amount of fluid in your eyes. When the fluid decreases, your IOP lowers as well.

 

Other Methods: Your eye specialist may recommend other treatments to lower your IOP. You can have laser trabeculoplasty, trabeculectomy, filtering surgery, MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery), or drainage tubes. The procedure you get depends on your case and how your eye doctor wants to tackle it.


It can be tedious to deal with glaucoma. The main goal for its early detection and treatment is to prevent vision loss. At Main Coast Eye Care, we work with our patients in the early diagnosis and treatment of any eye condition. Please visit our clinic in Rockport, Maine, for a one-on-one consultation. You can call us at (207) 887-0022 if you want to schedule an appointment or inquire about our diagnostic and treatment packages for glaucoma.


For more on the diagnosis and treatment of Glaucoma, contact Main Coast Eye Care in Rockport, ME at (207) 887-0022 today to schedule an appointment.