Question 1

in monitoring open angle glaucoma, if oct test results taken 1 yr. apart are different, can it mean glaucoma isn't stable? no change in visual field.

Accepted Answer

Good ?, difficult: Unfortunately it is still difficult to answer this question from a statistical progression analysis. The whole picture of your disease has to be utilized to answer whether your glaucoma is controlled well enough. This includes iop stability/reduction, visual field stability (statistically analyzed over time), clinical optic nerve changes, and other health related factors. Genetics are a given.

Question 2

my doctor wants to treat me for suspect glaucoma based solely on oct scan. i passed all other glaucoma tests. is treatment appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: The diagnosis of glaucoma relies on many pieces of data. The shape of the optic nerve, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, visual field testing, c:d volume and rim thickness, intraocular pressure and changes in these parameters over time. It is rare for only one to be abnormal  i would suggest a second opinion before starting treatment. Don't just ignore the possible DX , glaucoma can blind.

Question 3

normal field vision test. dilated optic discs small w/slight asymmetry. suspicious oct scan. eye pressure 27. family history. suspect for glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is important that your eye pressure be monitored closely and that the visual fields and oct are tested are a regular basis.
I suggest you see an ophthalmologist  regularly.  There are usually no symptoms of glaucoma that you will experience.

Question 4

what tests are there for glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Many: Many tests are done related to glaucoma.  There are functional tests like visual fields, observational tests like optic nerve stereo-photos, measurement tests, like OCT's or nerve fiber analyzer's.  Your ophthalmologist will determine which tests you need and how often.

Question 5

how does the test go for glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Several ones: Glaucoma is a condition in which the internal eye pressure exceeds the resistance of the back of the eye.  Measurements include eye pressure (tonometry), corneal thickness (pachymetry), visual field (perimetry) and evaluation of the disc for resistance and structure (by your ophthalmologist).  A combination of these may make the diagnosis.

Question 6

is there a test to figure out if you have glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Not just ONE test...: Diagnosis of glaucoma is optimally made before a patient notices any vision loss. Eye pressure, visual field (peripheral vision), optic nerve health, corneal thickness, fam history,  patient history (medications, eg migraines  etc) are evaluated to assess the risk in a given eye/patient.  There is no one test that can say yes/no re glaucoma, unless the visual field has classic damage (late by then.

Question 7

is there a test to see if your glaucoma is most probably due to family history?

Accepted Answer

No: No there is no test to determine if your glaucoma is due to family history.

Question 8

my tonometry tests shows 22-25mm hg, does it mean i have glaucoma?  is there a pre-glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

No: Ocular hypertension (glaucoma suspect), unless progressive damage to the optic nerve has occurred by the high pressure as measured over time by structural and functional change.

Question 9

diagnosed w/glaucoma in feb. 20% damage. pressure down from 31 to 16. anxious about field test next feb.  is it likely no increase in change?

Accepted Answer

Good response: That is a terrific reduction in pressure.  Unable to predict visual field results, but if the test is reliable with the least amount of fixation losses, it will give you an accurate picture of how (little) progression you should find.

Question 10

glaucoma exam dr. noted there was a questionable change to rnfl but didn't seem concerned. said tests looked good & glaucoma stable. what is rnfl?

Accepted Answer

Nerve fibers: The optic nerve is a cable with a million fibers. This is a measurable thickness. In glaucoma, there is a loss of fibers and thus, lower measurements or thinning. The RNFL thickness is measured and tracked overtime, with lower numbers suggesting thinning and progression of glaucoma. Its not a perfect test with a margin of error, sometimes only offering &#x27;questionable&#x27; changes.

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Doctor answers about:

Oct glaucoma test

A member asked:

In monitoring open angle glaucoma, if oct test results taken 1 yr. apart are different, can it mean glaucoma isn't stable? no change in visual field.

A member asked:

My doctor wants to treat me for suspect glaucoma based solely on oct scan. i passed all other glaucoma tests. is treatment appropriate?

A member asked:

Normal field vision test. dilated optic discs small w/slight asymmetry. suspicious oct scan. eye pressure 27. family history. suspect for glaucoma?

A member asked:

What tests are there for glaucoma?

A member asked:

How does the test go for glaucoma?

A member asked:

Is there a test to figure out if you have glaucoma?

A member asked:

Is there a test to see if your glaucoma is most probably due to family history?

A member asked:

My tonometry tests shows 22-25mm hg, does it mean i have glaucoma? is there a pre-glaucoma?

A member asked:

Diagnosed w/glaucoma in feb. 20% damage. pressure down from 31 to 16. anxious about field test next feb. is it likely no increase in change?

A member asked:

Glaucoma exam dr. noted there was a questionable change to rnfl but didn't seem concerned. said tests looked good & glaucoma stable. what is rnfl?

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