Primarily, it is not to diagnose but to have a degree of suspicion. It is to know the risk factors for glaucoma to allow for early detection and treatment. The second responsibility is to look at the optic disk with an ophthalmoscope to note any asymmetry in appearance, comparing one eye with the other. Any difference is reason for referral. Access the site s library, then open glaucoma pictures.
Treatment is another issue.
Family practitioners should be aware of the systemic side effects of glaucoma eye medicines so that side effect symptoms are treated by changing the eye drop, for example, and not by adding an oral medication or placing a pacemaker. A family practitioner serves as a gatekeeper and must make sure that a glaucoma patient or a glaucoma suspect has IOP measured at least three to four times each year, and has optic disk and visual field examinations no less than once a year along with a regular eye examination. Full cooperation with an ophthalmologist is in the patient s best interests.