What Is a Glaucoma Test?
Glaucoma is the generalized name for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve of the eye, preventing the eye from sending accurate visual information to the brain. Glaucoma tests are designed to test your eyes for one of the key symptoms of the disease—increased eye pressure—however only a comprehensive eye exam can reveal whether or not you have glaucoma. Increased pressure inside the eye is often a key indicator of glaucoma, though not exclusively so. Eye doctors can use a number of tests for eye pressure, but will, by default, check for signs of glaucoma as part of a detailed examination of the retina—the light sensitive area at the back of the eye responsible for processing images.
How Does Glaucoma Testing Work?
A glaucoma test is usually part of a routine eye exam. Both types of glaucoma tests measure the internal pressure of the eye.
Who is at risk for Glaucoma?
Technically speaking, everybody is at risk for Glaucoma. However, there are some people who are more at risk than others.
- African Americans are 6 to 8 times more likely than the general population to be affected by Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in African Americans, after Cataracts.
- Asians are at higher risk for Glaucoma, specifically for the less common angle - closure glaucoma. The Japanese however, are at a higher risk for normal tension glaucoma
- Hispanics over the age of 60 have a higher rate of Glaucoma
- Anyone who has had an eye injury or bruises in the eye is at a higher risk. The most common injuries are related to baseball and boxing
- People with severe myopia (nearsightedness), hypertension, high blood pressure, and diabetics are also at high risk for Glaucoma. Anyone over the age of 60 and anyone with a family history of Glaucoma is at a high risk as well.