Glaucoma Diagnosis At Eye Doctors of Arizona, Your Phoenix Ophthalmologist

At Eye Doctors of Arizona, we perform glaucoma tests and offer a range of glaucoma treatment options. Learn how your ophthalmologist in Phoenix, AZ checks for glaucoma during an eye exam.

When to Have Your Eyes Checked 

We recommend having your eyes checked for glaucoma once a year if you are at high risk of developing glaucoma or if you are over age 55. From age 40 to 54, we advise you have a glaucoma test every one to three years, and under age 40 every two to four years. Since your risk increases with age, we advise patients over age 65 to get their eyes checked twice annually. 

Factors that elevate your risk include family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, and Hispanic or African-American heritage. 

Glaucoma Tests at Eye Doctors of Arizona

We rely on two main tests for glaucoma diagnosis, ophthalmoscopy and tonometry, and may use other tests to confirm our glaucoma diagnosis. 

Tonometry evaluates your eye's internal pressure using a tonometer. We'll apply a puff of air to your eye and check its pressure. Eye pressure above 20 mm mercury (the scale used to measure eye pressure) indicates glaucoma. 

In an ophthalmoscopy, our eye doctor will dilate your eyes with eye drops. We then check your optic nerve for indicators of glaucoma damage.

If your optic nerve looks healthy and your eye's internal pressure is within normal range, you're clear. If either of these factors are off, we'll perform additional tests. 

If we make a diagnosis of glaucoma, we'll discuss glaucoma management strategies with you, such as medication or lifestyle changes. While there is no comprehensive cure for glaucoma, glaucoma treatment options allow you to preserve your sight to the fullest extent possible. When we catch glaucoma early, our opthalmologist can mitigate your vision loss. 

See Your Ophthalmologist in Phoenix, AZ

As your ophthalmologist in Phoenix, AZ, we are here for all your eye care needs, including glaucoma management. Reserve an appointment with our eye doctors on our website or by calling 602-257-8280 for our Buckeye Road location or 602-257-8280 for our Bell Road office.