Vision Field Testing

Vision field testing is an important tool when it comes to protecting your eye health and identifying any issues your eyes may be experiencing. One of the main eye conditions that vision field testing can identify is glaucoma. While there is no treatment for glaucoma, it can be effectively managed.
 

What exactly is glaucoma?

Glaucoma encompasses a number of different eye conditions which cause damage to the optic nerve, which is critically important for healthy vision. Usually this damage is caused by an unusually high amount of pressure within your eye. 

While glaucoma can occur at any age, it’s more prominent in older adults and is one of the leading causes of vision loss for those who are older than 60. One of the most troubling aspects of certain forms of glaucoma is that there are no warning signs or symptoms of the disease. Because it happens gradually some people don’t notice a change in their vision until the glaucoma has reached an advanced stage. 

Due to the fact vision loss associated with glaucoma cannot be recovered, regular screening for the disease is vitally important. If the glaucoma is detected early by our SE Calgary optometrist, the associated vision loss can be slowed or prevented. 

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What causes glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve has been damaged. Once damage to the optic nerve begins blind spots will often start appearing within your field of vision. While the exact reason for this damage is still not fully understood, it’s generally believed that it’s a result of an increase of pressure within the eye. 

Increased eye pressure happens when fluid that normally drains through tissue in your eye is either being overproduced or unable to drain properly. When either of these occur the normal fluid within your eye cannot flow out of it as it normally would, resulting in increased eye pressure. 

Through research it’s been discovered that glaucoma has a hereditary component to it. In certain situations, scientists have even discovered genes that are connected to optic nerve damage and increased eye pressure. 

What are some common risk factors for glaucoma?

There are a number of different risk factors associated with glaucoma. These include: 

• Being older than 60
• A history of glaucoma in your family
• Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
• Medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes
• An eye injury or having had certain eye surgeries 
• Extended use of steroid eye drops
   

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