Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. It is a complicated condition to deal with, considering that you will barely see any warning signs for most forms of glaucoma.
Usually, the effect is also so gradual making it difficult to notice any change in your vision until the problem has grown to an advanced stage. Sadly, vision loss due to glaucoma is irreversible, and here is where an eye specialist[https://asiaretina.com/] for glaucoma also comes in. A qualified eye specialist in Singapore can help you perform regular eye exams to detect this condition at its earliest stages and manage it.
What is the Name of Glaucoma Specialist?
An eye specialist who treats glaucoma is known as an ophthalmologist. To earn this title, the doctor will have to complete between 4 and 7 years of medical school and complete another four years of residency training, specifically in ophthalmology.
During the residency period, the eye specialist for glaucoma learns how to accurately diagnose and administer treatments for different eye diseases, including glaucoma. They will then need to ace a professional licensure examination to be certified and recognized in the country or state they will practice.
When looking for a good eye specialist for glaucoma, it is prudent that you focus more on a practitioner who has handled several glaucoma cases and honed the necessary skills for diagnosing and treating glaucoma.
When should you see an Eye Specialist for Glaucoma near you?
Glaucoma is considered one of the leading causes [https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/glaucoma-facts-and-stats.php]of blindness worldwide. It can affect anyone and as a basic rule of thumb, it is essential to know the risk factors that may predispose you or your loved ones to glaucoma.
Here are a few risk factors for glaucoma that would warrant early and routine eye checkup for this condition;
• If your sibling or anyone in your family had been diagnosed with glaucoma
• If your cornea is thin at the center
• If you’re an African-American of 40 years plus
• If you have high internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure
• When living with certain medical conditions that make you vulnerable to the condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and heart disease
• When you’ve been using corticosteroid medications, most specifically the eye drops, for an extended period
• If you’ve had eye surgery (certain types) or incurred an eye injury
• If you’re extremely farsighted or nearsighted
What Happens During a Glaucoma Test?
Diagnosing glaucoma isn’t an easy feat; therefore, there are multiple tests that you may get to ensure accurate diagnosis. Usually, the primary focus is to protect your sight.
Here is a roundup of some of the tests you can expect.
• Tonometry
This test will be done to examine the inner eye pressure. For this test, the eye specialist will use eye drops to numb your eye and then use a special instrument known as the tonometer to check your inner eye pressure. The standard pressure range is usually 12 to 22mmHg. Therefore a glaucoma case may be diagnosed with inner eye pressure exceeding 20mmHg. Do note that eye pressure isn’t constant, and depending on an individual, glaucoma case may be diagnosed at pressures ranging between 12 and 22mmHg.
• Dilated eye exam, also known as ophthalmoscopy
Your eye specialist may recommend ophthalmoscopy to examine the color and, most importantly, the shape of your optic nerve. In a dilated eye exam, the eye specialist will typically use eye drops to dilate your pupil, so it’s easy to see through the eye and assess the color and shape of your optic nerve. If the eye physician notices an abnormal range in your intraocular eye pressure (IOP) from the examination, they may recommend further tests for glaucoma.
• Pachymetry
A pachymetry exam may be recommended to check the thickness of your cornea. This test poses no risk of pain and is pretty simple. The eye specialist will gently place a pachymeter in front of your eye to measure the cornea’s thickness. It can help with making IOP readings more clear.
• Visual field test or Perimetry
Your eye specialist may also recommend this test for examining your complete field of vision. The focus is majorly to determine if glaucoma has in any way impacted your vision. For this test, the doctor will advise you to look straight ahead and then repeatedly pass a light spot in different locations of your peripheral vision.
• Gonioscopy
A Gonioscopy test will be done to examine the angle at which your iris connects with the cornea. The focus is majorly to check if this angle is narrow or wide. The doctor will use eye drops to numb your eyes and then gently place a contact lens. This contact lens is fitted with a mirror, which will help the eye specialist determine if the angle at which your iris meets the cornea is wide and open or closed and blocked.
Final Word
The early you detect glaucoma, the best. If you suspect that there is any risk factor that’s predisposing you or your loved one to glaucoma, let us know. We will help you schedule an eye exam to clear any doubts.