Glaucoma Screening

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. There is no cure for glaucoma and the vision loss is irreversible. Medication and/or Surgery may only stop the progression of vision loss. The glaucoma screening is only 10 minutes and can provide valuable insight to whether you may need a more comprehensive exam and a referral to eye specialist.

It is important to have routine eye exams for early detection and treatment of glaucoma and any accompanying vision loss. The most common type of glaucoma usually presents with no symptoms. Vision loss begins with the peripheral (side) vision. In most cases people unconsciously compensate for this vision loss by turning their heads from side to side, thereby not noticing anything until a significant degree of peripheral vision has been lost.

About the Glaucoma Screening

A comprehensive assessment for glaucoma includes tonometry, a visual field test, and an optic nerve assessment.

Tonometry is a test that measures the intraocular pressure of the eye. The tonometry test is used to measure the internal eye pressure which is an important parameter for the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

During a visual field test, the patient is asked to fixate on a target ahead and then indicate when lights/ targets can be seen in their peripheral vision. This measures how far the eye sees in any direction without moving and how sensitive the vision is in different parts of the visual field.

A bright light will then be used to assess the optic nerve.

This quick and painless procedure allows the examiner to view the inside of the eye with a portable device.

Patients who screen positive will need to have a comprehensive eye exam and will be referred to an eye specialist for the necessary treatment.

Duration: 10min

Age groups: Any. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma should be screened once every 6 months.

Signs you may require one:

Severe throbbing eye pain
Eye redness
Narrowed vision (tunnel vision)
Blurry or foggy vision
Halos around lights,
Nausea and vomiting

Purpose and What to expect