Glaucoma is diagnosed by assessing the optic nerve, measuring intraocular pressure, and testing peripheral vision. A combination of structural and functional tests is used rather than pressure alone.
Key Tests
Examination includes optic nerve evaluation with a slit lamp, tonometry to measure eye pressure, and visual field testing to map peripheral vision. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is commonly used to measure retinal nerve fibre layer thickness.
- Eye pressure may be normal even in glaucoma
- Optic nerve appearance and visual fields are critical
- OCT helps detect early structural damage
Monitoring Over Time
Because glaucoma is a chronic disease, repeated measurements are needed to confirm stability or progression. Imaging and field tests are compared across visits.
Further Information
The glaucoma page describes investigations used in care, and the Blue Fin Vision® article what is glaucoma and is it treatable? offers an overview for patients.
