Glaucoma Diagnosis and Investigation
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in older adults.
It is the term used to describe a group of eye conditions that have in common a chronic progressive optic neuropathy which results in characteristic morphological changes at the optic nerve head and in the retinal nerve fibre layer.
It is imperative to diagnose Glaucoma early, so treatment can be instituted.
EXAMINATION–
Visual acuity- measurement of how far each eye can see, without and with glasses.
Tonometry- Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement
Pupillary reaction- abnormal in very advanced Glaucoma.
Gonioscopy- Using the gonio lens. Helps us determine if the anterior chamber angle is open or close.
Dilated fundoscopy + Slit lamp examination + 78D: To assess the optic nerve head and surroundings.
INVESTIGATION
Pachymetry: Measures the central cornea thickness (CCT) and calculates the True IOP.
Central Visual Field (CVF): Plots the visual field and identifies non seeing areas (blind spots).
Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM): Images the anterior segment of the eye. It is particularly useful to show the anatomy in primary angle-closure (PAC) glaucoma
Anterior segment Optical coherence tomography of anterior: Useful in the evaluation of angle-closure Glaucoma.
Anterior chamber (AC) depth measurement: This can be done using the Zeiss IOLMaster or Anterior segment OCT.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Imaging of the back of the eye (Optic nerve head, Retina, Macula) with corresponding measurements of the cup-disc ratio, retinal nerve fibre layer and macula. Helps in Glaucoma diagnosis and follow up.
TREATMENT
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to slow the rate of progression throughout a patient’s lifetime in order to maintain visual function and related quality of life, at a sustainable cost.
Commonly, this is achieved via Medications (mainly eyedrops), Laser therapy (Iridotomy/Iridoplasty, Selective laser trabeculoplasty- SLT or Micropulse laser trabeculoplasty- MLT), Surgery (e.g Trabeculectomy) or a combination of the above.
We offer the above services at affordable prices.
So, if you are of African descent, Above 40years of age, or you had/have a close family member diagnosed with Glaucoma, you should pay us a visit.
