During the exam a painless test to measure eye pressure is performed. The structures of the eye are examined including the optic nerve. Additionally, tests can be done to detect damage to the field of vision. Visual field tests measure light sensitivity of your eye. Damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma produces a distinct pattern of visual field loss.
Doctors can use the visual field to detect and follow the course of glaucoma over time.
Q. During an eye exam, there are usually numbers mentioned that are associated with the pressure in the eye. A. Normal individuals have an eye pressure between 12 and 21. However, some patients with glaucoma have eye pressures in this range. In other cases, individuals with elevated eye pressure may not develop optic nerve damage. It is clear that there are factors other than eye pressure which are important in the development of glaucoma.