Glaucoma: The doctor mentioned something about putting pressure behind their eyes to see if they have it?Both of my parents need to be tested for glaucoma. If what I heard was right, they're going to put pressure behind their eyes.
What is this, what happens, and what will it tell the doctor?
Posted by dougie
Actually, no. There is no putting pressure behind the eyes. They jsut need to get an eye exam. One of the things tested is checking the eye pressure (like the puff test). Glaucoma can be associated with higher eye pressures and thats why it needs to be checked.
Posted by B
They are going to measure the intraocular pressure in their eyes. If the number is above 21 that is too high. Then the doctor will decide what to do to bring it down, such as certain meds.
Posted by Tony G
When I got tested for Glaucoma, all they did to me was give me an eyedrop. It numbed my eyes and eyelids, and then they took this pen and touched my eyes lightly to get the pressure that my eyes have. It feels really strange. The pen is used to be quicker, is you are nervous. I know they use something else if you have done it before, or if your arent real nervous. :)
Posted by tomg1228
Usually the doctor will put eye drops in both eyes to numb them a bit, then the doctor lightly touches the eye with a device that safely tells the intraocular (or inside the eye) pressure. Or the "puff test" can be used where a puff of pressurized air is blown into the eye to check the pressure.
If the pressure is too high then this could be a sign of glaucoma. Looking at the optic nerve in the back of the eye (this is done after dilating the pupils) can help to confirm whether a person is suffering from glaucoma. Glaucoma is a very treatable disease (usually eye drops, sometimes surgery) but it must be detected because their are no pain or vision symptoms until it is quite advanced and the damage is done by that point.
Posted by spha13
When getting your eyes examined, not only is your vision checked, but the health of your eye is checked too. One of the diseases screened for is glaucoma. How this is checked is one of three ways. Two most common, puff of air (non-contact tonometer) the other is by applanation, where a blue light comes in contact with your eye, you don't notice it though.
By applying pressure to the cornea, the Dr can determine how much pressure it takes to make an indent. They also look at your optic nerves to make sure there are no signs of damage. If either one of these or especially both show cause for concern then other tests will follow.
It is a normal part of a check up for the eye and you shouldn't be at all concerned.
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