eye disorders
Overview of Glaucoma
Diagnosis of Glaucoma
Characteristic optic nerve changes Characteristic visual field defects Exclusion of other causes Intraocular pressure (IOP) usually>21 mm Hg (but not required for the diagnosis) Glaucoma should be suspected in a patient with any of the following: Abnormal optic nerve on ophthalmoscopy Elevated IOP Typical visual field defects Family history of glaucoma Such patients (and those with any risk factors) should be referred to an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive examination that includes a thorough history, family history, examination of the optic disks (preferably using a binocular examination technique), formal visual field examination, Tonometry (measurement of IOP), measurement of central corneal thickness, optic nerve and/or retinal nerve fiber layer imaging (using Glaucoma is diagnosed when characteristic findings of optic nerve damage are present and other causes (eg, multiple sclerosis) have been excluded. Elevated IOP makes the diagnosis more likely, but elevated IOP can occur in the absence of glaucoma and is not essential for making the diagnosis. Low-tension (low-pressure) or normal-pressure glaucoma (glaucoma occurring with IOP<21 mmHg) comprises about one third of all open-angle glaucomas in the United States and is even more common in Asia. 40 years and those who have Etiology or 