eye disorders
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Diagnosis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
Visual field testing Ophthalmoscopy Measurement of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) Exclusion of other optic neuropathies Diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma is suggested by the examination, but similar findings can result from other optic neuropathies (eg, caused by ischemia, cytomegalovirus infection, or vitamin B12 deficiency). Before a diagnosis of normal-pressure glaucoma can be established, the following factors may need to be ruled out: Inaccurate IOP readings Large diurnal fluctuations (causing intermittent normal readings) Optic nerve damage caused by previously resolved glaucoma (eg, a previously elevated IOP due to corticosteroid use or Overview of Uveitis ) Intermittent angle-closure glaucoma Other ocular or neurologic disorders that cause similar visual field defects Central corneal thickness is measured to help interpret the result of IOP measurement. Optic disk photography or a detailed optic disk drawing is helpful for future comparison. The frequency of follow-up examinations varies from weeks to months, depending on the patient’s reliability, severity of the glaucoma, and response to treatment. 