Why Glaucoma Screening is Important

July 29, 2020

Unsure why regular glaucoma screening is so important for your overall eye health, especially as you get older? Our Calgary optometrist provides the details you need to know about this vital component of regular eye exams in this week's article. 


Glaucoma screening is a critically important part of comprehensive eye exams, especially as patients get older. With glaucoma being one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, regularly screening for this eye condition can help halt vision loss in its tracks or help manage the disease so vision is preserved. And it all begins with a regular eye exam. 

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Those Who Are at Higher Risk for Glaucoma

Because glaucoma often presents with little or no symptoms at all, it's important that those who are at higher risk of developing this eye condition are aware that they fall into this category and receive regular screening. Those who are at higher risk for glaucoma include: 

If you should fall into any of the above categories, it's extremely important that you get your eyes examined at least once a year and make sure that examination includes glaucoma screening. 

How Does Glaucoma Screening Work? 

Glaucoma screening is conducted via a dilated pupil test. Other tests that are used to screen for glaucoma include:

Tonometry: A test which measures the pressure within the eye. Your eye will be numbed with eye drops and a probe will rest gently on the surface of the eye being tested. If there is an elevated reading or level of intraocular pressure, then there may be a problem with how much fluid is being produced in your eye or how much is available within it. 

Visual Field Testing: A test which is used to measure the complete area that is able to be seen by an eye, including peripheral vision. This test will help determine if you have developed any blind spots as a result of glaucoma and the optic nerve damage it causes, or can be used to measure the progression of the disease if you have already been diagnosed with it. 

Need glaucoma screening Calgary? Contact My Optometrist Calgary today to book your next comprehensive eye exam to make sure this sneaky eye condition hasn't already begun causing you any vision loss. 

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Glaucoma Can be Successfully Managed

While glaucoma cannot be cured, it can be successfully managed through eye drops, laser surgery, or other means. This is why it's so important to conduct glaucoma screening on a regular basis. If it's detected early enough, vision-saving measures and procedures can be enacted. Because glaucoma usually progresses without any visible or detectable symptoms at the beginning, if you forego getting your eyes examined until a problem arises then it may be too late to reverse or mitigate the damage that has already been done. 

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If you’re looking for glaucoma screening in Calgary or Three Hills, we have you covered. Contact one of our My Optometrist Calgary clinics at either 403-256-0606 (Health First Optometry), 403-291-0923 (Sunridge Vision Centre), or 403-443-2040 (Three Hills Optometry) and book your next comprehensive eye exam today.

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Category: Glaucoma

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