Glaucoma FAQs (cont.)
Medical Author:
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACSAndrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. IN THIS ARTICLE
What Can Someone Expect During an Eye Examination for Glaucoma?An ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery) initially checks the patient's central vision using an eye chart. The fronts of the eyes are examined using a special microscope called a slit lamp. The pressure inside the eyes is checked using an instrument called a tonometer. The optic nerves are examined for any damage; this may require dilation of the pupils to ensure an adequate examination of the optic nerves. The peripheral vision may be checked, typically by using an automated visual field machine. The drainage channels in the eyes may be examined using a painless technique called gonioscopy, which involves the use of a special contact lens that is placed onto the surface of the eye that has been numbed with an eye drop. Must Read Articles Related to Glaucoma FAQs
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Viewer Comments & ReviewsGlaucoma - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Which symptoms led to the discovery of your glaucoma? |
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Glaucoma, Primary Congenital »
By definition, primary congenital glaucoma is present at birth; however, its manifestations may not be recognized until infancy or early childhood.
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