If the drainage angle becomes clogged or constricted, the aqueous humor cannot drain at the same rate it is produced and pressure will begin to build up inside the eye. Images that are focused on your retina are transmitted to your brain through the optic nerve . Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, especially in older people. Early detection and treatment with your eye doctor are vital to preventing extensive optic nerve damage that can lead to blindness caused by glaucoma. During your regular eye exam, the pressure inside your eye is measured with a tonometer .
Intraocular pressure can vary on an individual basis.
High pressure alone does not mean you have glaucoma. Doctors here at Cascade Regional Eye Center are trained in the early detection of glaucoma, and if indicated, may inspect the drainage angle of your eye with a test called gonioscopy . If you have glaucoma, or are a glaucoma suspect, your doctor may order some additional tests such as a Visual Field or a GDx . These tests help the doctor to see how much your field of vision has been affected and see any damage that has occurred to the optic nerve. Once baseline tests have been completed, your doctor may have these tests repeated periodically as he continues to monitor you.