If identified soon, glaucoma can be managed to avoid extra decline in vision or loss of eyesight. It is important to note though, because they usually develop in a gradual manner, the warning signs of glaucoma can be hard to notice without a test performed by an eye doctor. If glaucoma hits a late stage without being detected, it can cause irreparable sight loss.

Glaucoma is the result of harm to the optic nerve, from increasing fluid pressure in the eye or a weakness in the optic nerve itself.

The eye requires a specific amount of pressure to let the eyeball retain its form, because it is full of fluid, called aqueous humour. In a perfect eye, this fluid moves throughout the eyeball at a regular pace. If the drainage tubes which carry the fluid away from the eyeball become congested, pressure starts to build up inside the eye. This increase in pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve.

Particular characteristics make an individual more disposed to having glaucoma:

- The most important thing to consider is age. The older someone becomes, the higher the likelihood of glaucoma developing.

- A person with short-sightedness or myopia will have a greater chance to develop glaucoma.

- Another significant factor is ones family history in discovering those people who may be prone to glaucoma. If you are a blood relative of an individual with glaucoma, your chances of developing the condition are a bit greater.

- Ethnicity can influence both an individuals odds of developing glaucoma and the type of glaucoma. People of Asian origin are more susceptible to closed angle glaucoma, while people of African or Afro-Caribbean origin are prone to open angle glaucoma.

There are six assessments that can be given to identify glaucoma. It is strongly urged that anyone over 40 is tested for glaucoma at the minimum every two years.

Ophthalmoscopy:

In this exam the optometrist inserts eye drops to the eye ball to dilate the pupil. The hue and shape of the optic nerve can then be examined. The test is given with a magnifying glass with a built in light, which illuminates the rear of the eye, making it easier to inspect the optic nerve. The optometrist may utilize a digital camera to store a photograph of the optic nerve.

Gonioscopy:

The eye will be numbed with eye drops and a mirrored lens is positioned against the eye to test the angle among the iris and the cornea. This is the area of the eye where liquid drains away. The angle between the iris and the cornea show the optometrist whether the patient has open angle or closed angle glaucoma. The onset of closed angle glaucoma is often accompanied by pain, while open angle glaucoma begins more slowly and is sometimes much more developed before someone pays attention to any of the warning signs.

Tonometry:

A very specific instrument is used to puff air into the eye, allowing the optometrist to determine the eye pressure. Increased eye pressure is a significant sign of the presence of glaucoma.

Pachymetry:

This test uses a specialist device to determine the thickness of the cornea. By determining the thickness of the cornea, an optometrist can better interpret the result of the tonometry exam.

Visual Field Testing (Perimetry):

While the individual being tested looks straight ahead, the optometrist introduces little vivid lights at the outside of the persons peripheral vision. If the individual has difficulty seeing some of the bright lights, it may indicate that glaucoma has begun to alter her sight. This exam is quite often controlled by a computer.

Nerve Fiber Analysis:

If the thickness of the optic nerve has been reduced in parts, this could indicate harm resulting from glaucoma.

Make sure you speak to your optometrist in regards to glaucoma testing now!