Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a series of related eye diseases that all affect the health of the optic nerve, that usually go on to cause blindness if left untreated, and are almost always completely without symptoms. The chief hallmark is the erosion of the tissue of the optic nerve (see first two images below). The patient's eye pressure is usually, but not always measured to be high. In fact, recent studies show that a high percentage of patients with glaucoma NEVER register a statistically high eye pressure. The typical treatment includes one or more of many different medicated eye drop, though some cases go on to require laser treatment, and on rare occasions, invasive surgery. The key to preventing vision loss due to glaucoma is EARLY DIAGNOSIS.
Normal optic nerve
Optic nerve with glaucoma
While the eye pressure is an important component of glaucoma testing, it is important not to rely on it alone in determining whether or not you or a loved one has glaucoma. A thorough glaucoma work up includes several key tests.
Optic Nerve Analysis
Clear View Vision Care utilizes the GDx VCC to examine the retinal nerve fiber layer for glaucoma damage - damage that can identify the onset of glaucoma up to six years before the patient can perceive loss off vision.
In a healthy eye, the GDx VCC shows a normal pattern of nerve fiber layer, represented by the radiating yellow and red pattern in the picture to the left. This patient would have no vision loss, and no effects on activities of daily living.
In an eye with moderate loss of retinal nerve fiber layer, one can see a marked reduction in the the reflectance off these nerve fibers, represented by a decrease in the radiating yellow and red pattern. One also notes the enlarging central cup in the center of the optic nerve itself. This patient would have measurable vision loss, and would likely be experiencing moderate limitations of daily activities.
In the eye with severe damage due to glaucoma, the retinal nerve fiber layer is now almost completely extinguished, and you can see virtually no radiating yellow and red pattern. Also, the central cup of the optic nerve is further enlarged. This patient would have profound vision loss and/or blindness.
We would rather identify the developing glaucoma patient as early as possible to prevent progression to blindness. The GDx VCC is a key technological advance that helps us meet that goal.
Computerized Visual Fields Testing
Clear View Vision Care utilizes the Haag Streit Octopus 301, which is setting the trend in perimetry for the next decade. Ideal for routine screening and threshold examinations, the proven performance, accuracy and quality of the 301 is the state of the art.
This instrument allows for detailed analysis of the visual pathways leading from the eye to the vision centers in the back of the brain.
Gonioscopy
Gonioscopy is the visualization the anterior chmber of the eye and the drainage angle where the intraocular fluid leaves the eye. A contact lens like device is placed against the cornea which allows the Doctor to look for narrowing of the angle, obstructions in the angle, and pigmentation. It is a painless and vital test during the glaucoma work up.
Pachymetry
Pachymetry is the measurement of the thickness of the cornea, the clear tissue on the front of the eye. Recent research shows that the thickness of the cornea is highly predictive of who is at risk for damage due to glaucoma.
Tonometry
Tonometry, also known as the eye pressure test, is the final component of a thorough glaucoma examination. Historically thought to be "the glaucoma test", research has shown it to be just one component of a larger picture.
Tonopen tonometer
Goldmann tonometer
Dr. Jeffrey F. Martin has been certified by the Texas Board of Optometry as a Glaucoma Specialist, having passed an exhaustive certification process including a proctored examination by the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Martin has been treating Glaucoma as a part of his practice since 1993.
Glaucoma is a series of related eye diseases that all affect the health of the optic nerve, that usually go on to cause blindness if left untreated, and are almost always completely without symptoms. The chief hallmark is the erosion of the tissue of the optic nerve (see first two images below). The patient's eye pressure is usually, but not always measured to be high. In fact, recent studies show that a high percentage of patients with glaucoma NEVER register a statistically high eye pressure. The typical treatment includes one or more of many different medicated eye drop, though some cases go on to require laser treatment, and on rare occasions, invasive surgery. The key to preventing vision loss due to glaucoma is EARLY DIAGNOSIS.
Normal optic nerve
Optic nerve with glaucoma
While the eye pressure is an important component of glaucoma testing, it is important not to rely on it alone in determining whether or not you or a loved one has glaucoma. A thorough glaucoma work up includes several key tests.
Optic Nerve Analysis
Clear View Vision Care utilizes the GDx VCC to examine the retinal nerve fiber layer for glaucoma damage - damage that can identify the onset of glaucoma up to six years before the patient can perceive loss off vision.
In a healthy eye, the GDx VCC shows a normal pattern of nerve fiber layer, represented by the radiating yellow and red pattern in the picture to the left. This patient would have no vision loss, and no effects on activities of daily living.
In an eye with moderate loss of retinal nerve fiber layer, one can see a marked reduction in the the reflectance off these nerve fibers, represented by a decrease in the radiating yellow and red pattern. One also notes the enlarging central cup in the center of the optic nerve itself. This patient would have measurable vision loss, and would likely be experiencing moderate limitations of daily activities.
In the eye with severe damage due to glaucoma, the retinal nerve fiber layer is now almost completely extinguished, and you can see virtually no radiating yellow and red pattern. Also, the central cup of the optic nerve is further enlarged. This patient would have profound vision loss and/or blindness.
We would rather identify the developing glaucoma patient as early as possible to prevent progression to blindness. The GDx VCC is a key technological advance that helps us meet that goal.
Computerized Visual Fields Testing
Clear View Vision Care utilizes the Haag Streit Octopus 301, which is setting the trend in perimetry for the next decade. Ideal for routine screening and threshold examinations, the proven performance, accuracy and quality of the 301 is the state of the art.
This instrument allows for detailed analysis of the visual pathways leading from the eye to the vision centers in the back of the brain.
Gonioscopy
Gonioscopy is the visualization the anterior chmber of the eye and the drainage angle where the intraocular fluid leaves the eye. A contact lens like device is placed against the cornea which allows the Doctor to look for narrowing of the angle, obstructions in the angle, and pigmentation. It is a painless and vital test during the glaucoma work up.
Pachymetry
Pachymetry is the measurement of the thickness of the cornea, the clear tissue on the front of the eye. Recent research shows that the thickness of the cornea is highly predictive of who is at risk for damage due to glaucoma.
Tonometry
Tonometry, also known as the eye pressure test, is the final component of a thorough glaucoma examination. Historically thought to be "the glaucoma test", research has shown it to be just one component of a larger picture.
Tonopen tonometer
Goldmann tonometer
Dr. Jeffrey F. Martin has been certified by the Texas Board of Optometry as a Glaucoma Specialist, having passed an exhaustive certification process including a proctored examination by the University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Dr. Martin has been treating Glaucoma as a part of his practice since 1993.
