Glaucoma Research Foundation

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If I have high eye pressure, do I have glaucoma?

It was once believed that measuring the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP) was enough to diagnose glaucoma. However, recent studies show that just measuring eye pressure is not a reliable way to detect glaucoma. Eye pressure can go up and down during the day or in a month. Also, some people’s optic nerves are not damaged by high pressure while others’ optic nerves are damaged by relatively low pressure.

To be safe and accurate, four factors should be checked before making a glaucoma diagnosis:

1. the inner eye pressure (IOP) [Tonometry test]
2. the shape and color of the optic nerve (Ophthalmoscopy or dilated eye exam)
3. the complete field of vision (Perimetry test)
4. the angle in the eye where the iris meets the cornea (Goniscopy test)

Learn more about diagnostic tests for glaucoma.

Posted on September 19, 2008 11:46 AM