Diagnosis of glaucoma. How is the eye exam?

Glaucoma / Diagnosis of glaucoma. How is the eye exam?

Around 1 million of Spanish suffer from ocular glaucoma, which is mostly asymptomatic but whose early detection is essential for your best prognosis.

The importance of early diagnosis

Early diagnosis of glaucoma enables us to prevent significant loss of vision. Sufferers of glaucoma should be examined regularly throughout their life as the disease can get worse without the patient realising.

Tonometry

This test measures the intraocular pressure of an eye using various different methods (flattening, air, rebound). The normal pressure range is 10 to 21mm Hg (refers to millimetres of mercury).

Pachymetry

This is a diagnostic test that measures the thickness of the cornea. A probe called a pachymeter is placed on the front of the eye (the cornea) to measure its thickness.

It must then be adjusted according to the thickness of the cornea, to the IOP values detected.

Ophthalmoscopy

This diagnostic procedure helps the doctor to examine the optic nerve so they can identify damage caused by glaucoma. Eye drops are used to dilate the pupil so that the specialised can look inside the eye and examine the shape and colour of the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain.

Perimetry or Visual Field (VF)

This is an examination for assessing visual function by exploring 30º of field amplitude, then analysing any defects identified and their location. Sequential VF examinations enable us to assess progression at follow-up consultations.

Gonioscopy

It is advisable to perform a gonioscopy, where a lens is positioned on the cornea so that we can analyse the camerular angle, which constitutes the drainage area.

This test enables us to determine the angular amplitude, whether the angle is open or closed, and whether there are any anomalies that could compromise drainage. A portable contact lens is placed on the eye. The thickness of this contact lens tells the specialist if the angle between the iris and cornea is closed and blocked or wide and open.

Glaucoma. Did you know...?

Survey carried out by Cícero Comunicación to the specialists of our medical team.

• Glaucoma disease awareness:

→ 76% of the ophthalmologists consulted think that Spanish between 45 and 65 years of age are the ones who are most aware of glaucoma.

→ 18% believe that the population over 65 years of age.

→ In short, more than 90% of ophthalmologists consider that the population over 45 years of age is aware of glaucoma.

• What messages would ophthalmologists prioritize in awareness campaigns for the early detection of glaucoma?

→ 49% of ophthalmologists think they would prioritize messages about the mostly asymptomatic nature of glaucoma, which makes its detection and diagnosis difficult.

→ The second message they would prioritize would be the seriousness of the prognosis in case of late diagnosis, according to 31% of those surveyed.

→ Thirdly, they would prioritize, also according to 31% of ophthalmologists, messages about the importance of routine/periodic ophthalmological check-ups.

→ In fourth position and, therefore, less important, would be the messages on adherence to treatment and/or the importance of interventions according to 31% of ophthalmologists.

→ The messages that would not be prioritized according to 42% of the respondents would be those related to the anti-coronavirus protocols of the clinics.