WHAT TESTS CAN DIAGNOSE GLAUCOMA?
A diagnosis of glaucoma no longer simply relies on the presence of pressure within the eye. It requires that there be optic nerve damage or a strong suggestion of damage, which can be clearly seen during a dilated eye examination of the optic nerve. In general, the hallmark sign of this condition is a loss of peripheral vision. (With peripheral vision loss a person can see in front of him- or herself but has lost the vision to the side.) Because chronic glaucoma has no warning symptoms, half of its victims are unaware that they have the condition. Early diagnosis, however, is the key to successful treatment of glaucoma. A 1999 study reported that the more years since the last visit to an eye professional, the greater the risk for having visual loss. [ See Box, Screening Recommendations.
