Diagnosis

Several methods are available for the diagnosis of glaucoma. Since glaucoma mostly involves an increased eye pressure, it is most important to measure this parameter. For this, there are two frequently used methods: the pressure is either measured with a subtle puff of air or with a tonometer, which is gently placed over the eye.

The eye pressure

The pressure reading provides a value for the IOP. The evaluation of this reading is not easy and often requires an amount of measurements over a time period of days or weeks. Basically, an eye pressure less than 20mm Hg is considered harmless, as long as no other indications for glaucoma are present. If values between 20-24 mm Hg are obtained, frequent eye examinations should be undertaken. Values over 25 mm Hg in all probability indicate the presence or the development of glaucoma damage.

The visual field

The regular measurement of the visual field can detect commencing or already progressed glaucoma damage. The examination of the visual field indicates if a functional damage of the optic nerve, the so-called field loss, has already occurred.

Optic nerve analysis

The morphological examination of the optic nerve damage in the early stages can be carried out either by a fundus examination with a slit-lamp microscope or with laser scanning photography. Latter is a new and very valuable technique to reliably visualize the slightest alterations and damages of the optic nerve for both the physician and the patient.

The malignance about glaucoma is that the early stages can remain unnoticed by the patient. Such alterations can only be revealed through thorough ophthalmological examinations.