How is glaucoma diagnosed, and what tests are typically performed during an eye examination?

Glaucoma diagnosis involves a comprehensive eye examination, including:

1. Visual acuity test: Measures sharpness of vision
2. Refraction test: Determines prescription for glasses or contacts
3. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy: Examines eye structures, including the optic nerve and retina
4. Tonometry: Measures intraocular pressure (IOP)
– Goldman applanation tonometry (GAT)
– Non-contact tonometry (NCT)
– Pneumatonometer
5. Ophthalmoscopy: Examines the retina and optic nerve
– Direct ophthalmoscopy
– Indirect ophthalmoscopy
6. Gonioscopy: Examines the drainage angle
7. Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Imaging test for retinal nerve fiber layer and optic nerve
8. Visual field test: Measures peripheral vision
– Confrontation visual field test
– Automated perimetry (e.g., Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer)
9. Pachymetry: Measures corneal thickness
10. Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis: Measures nerve fiber layer thickness

Additional tests may be performed, such as:

1. Stereo disc photography: Documents optic nerve appearance
2. Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT): Imaging test for optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer
3. Scanning laser polarimetry (SLP): Measures retinal nerve fiber layer thickness

A comprehensive eye examination can help diagnose glaucoma and monitor its progression. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment.