Procedure · Eye care
Glaucoma care
Glaucoma care covers screening for glaucoma and the ongoing monitoring of people who have it. It uses tonometry to measure eye pressure, an examination of the optic nerve, visual field testing of side vision, and scans of the nerve. The ophthalmologist explains the findings and what follow-up applies.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
At a glance
The essentials.
- Practice
- Eye care
- Type
- Consultation or procedure
The full guide
What it is
Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which the optic nerve is gradually damaged, often in association with raised pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma care is the set of tests that looks for it and tracks it: measuring the eye pressure, examining the optic nerve, and testing the field of vision. Repeated over time, the same tests show whether the condition is stable or changing.
Why an ophthalmologist may recommend it
Early glaucoma usually causes no symptoms, so assessment is most often prompted by an examination finding rather than by anything you notice: raised pressure at a routine check, the appearance of the optic nerve, a family history of glaucoma, or age. People already diagnosed attend for monitoring and treatment review.
How to prepare
Bring your glasses, a list of your medicines including any eye drops, and previous eye reports or visual field printouts if you have them. If dilating drops are used, near vision blurs for a few hours, so plan for someone else to drive.
How ongoing care works
Treatment for glaucoma, when it is needed, aims to lower the pressure inside the eye to slow further damage to the optic nerve. Options in general include daily eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery; which is discussed depends on the type of glaucoma and the findings. Treatment that has been started is reviewed with the same measurements, so its effect can be checked. This page is educational and makes no claim about outcomes; the ophthalmologist discusses options with each patient.
Safety, limitations, and when to contact the clinic
These are low-risk tests. Eye pressure varies during the day, and one reading is not a diagnosis: one normal test does not always rule glaucoma out, and one raised reading does not always mean glaucoma. The tests are read together and over time. Contact the clinic sooner than your review if you notice a change in vision. Sudden severe eye pain with a red eye, haloes around lights, or nausea is an emergency.
This website is for information and appointments. It is not monitored for emergencies. For sudden loss of vision, a serious eye injury, or severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting, call 108 for an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department.
Results and follow-up
The ophthalmologist explains the findings at the visit and sets a review interval. If glaucoma is found or suspected, monitoring continues at agreed intervals whichever option is chosen, because the aim of care is to detect any change early.
Sources
Before you come
What to bring and how to prepare
A short checklist to run through before your appointment. If anything here is unclear, call the clinic and ask.
- Bring your glasses, a list of your medicines including any eye drops, and previous eye reports or visual field printouts if you have them.
- If dilating drops are used, near vision blurs for a few hours, so plan for someone else to drive.
What happens
On the day.
What to expect from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
during
During the visit
Tonometry measures the pressure inside the eye. Depending on the instrument, you feel a brief puff of air or a light touch on the numbed surface of the eye.
after
Afterwards
The visual field test maps your side vision: you look at a fixed point and press a button each time you see a small light appear. It takes a few minutes per eye and needs concentration, not good eyesight.
after
Afterwards
The optic nerve is examined with the slit lamp, sometimes after dilating drops. When needed, optical coherence tomography (OCT), a scan that uses light to measure the nerve and retinal layers, adds a precise measurement. Nothing touches the eye during OCT.
Before your appointment
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about preparation, timing and what happens at the clinic.
Does the eye-pressure test hurt?
You feel a brief puff of air, or a light touch on the surface of the eye after numbing drops. Either way the measurement takes seconds.
Why do I need a visual field test if my vision seems fine?
Early glaucoma affects side vision first, and the brain fills in the missing areas, so the loss goes unnoticed. The visual field test measures side vision directly, before you would notice a change.
How often are the tests repeated?
It depends on the findings and on whether treatment has been started. The ophthalmologist sets the interval and explains what each review is checking.
Where this fits
Related care and consulting times.
The conditions this is used alongside, and when the consultant sees patients at the clinic.
Consultation hours
- Eye care
- Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Meera Krishnan, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) —
Appointments
Plan your visit.
Mon–Sat, 5:30 PM–8:30 PM.