Delayed diagnosis has socioeconomic implications as well as medical ones. In a paper in Archives of Ophthalmology in 1997, investigators looked at quality of life issues versus visual fields in individuals with glaucoma. They showed a striking correlation between visual field score and driving ability. The need for better screening Our goal must be to detect glaucoma at an early stage and prevent progressive damage. These compact machines can be used as screening tools by family physicians, optometrists or staff in our own offices.
Minimal training is required and the tests take very little time.
Human genomics also promises to dramatically change glaucoma screening by identifying those patients more predisposed to the disease. Lowering IOP is important, but the real goal in glaucoma treatment is to stop ganglion cell death and preserve visual function. Parts 1 and 2 of the Normal Tension Glaucoma Study appeared in AJO in October 1998. These researchers conducted five visual fields tests on each patient, and selected those with advanced normal tension glaucoma. A number of risk factors have been identified in glaucoma, including age, race and myopia.