Glaucoma Evaluation & Care
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and can cause permanent loss of vision if not detected and treated in time. Raised eye pressure is an important risk factor, although glaucoma can sometimes occur even when eye pressure is within the normal range.
The most common form usually develops gradually and may cause no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Regular eye examinations are therefore particularly important for people with risk factors such as increasing age, family history of glaucoma, high eye pressure or certain other eye conditions.
At Garg Eye Clinic, Dr Priti Garg evaluates patients for glaucoma and advises appropriate testing, treatment and follow-up.
Symptoms & Warning Signs
The common open-angle form of glaucoma often has no symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, peripheral (side) vision may gradually be affected.
A sudden rise in eye pressure can sometimes cause:
• Severe eye pain
• Red eye
• Sudden blurred vision
• Halos around lights
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
Sudden severe symptoms require urgent eye examination.
How Glaucoma Is Evaluated
Glaucoma cannot be diagnosed by an eye-pressure reading alone. A complete assessment may include:
• Eye-pressure measurement (tonometry)
• Optic nerve examination
• Visual-field testing (perimetry)
• OCT imaging of the optic nerve when required
• Corneal-thickness measurement (pachymetry)
• Gonioscopy to examine the drainage angleDr Priti Garg selects the investigations required according to the patient’s examination findings and risk factors.
A pressure test alone is not sufficient; optic-nerve and visual-field assessment are important parts of diagnosis.
Treatment & Follow-Up
Glaucoma-related vision loss cannot usually be reversed, but treatment can help reduce the risk of further damage. Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, treatment may include eye drops, laser procedures or surgery.
Regular follow-up is important to monitor eye pressure, the optic nerve and visual fields and to assess whether treatment is adequately controlling the disease.