When is glaucoma really glaucoma? 2007

Joseph San Laureano
Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. jsl@eyedoc.com.au

The approach to the diagnosis and management of glaucoma has undergone considerable changes in recent years. Current concepts of glaucoma diagnosis focus on structural assessment and structure-function correlation, and relies less on the finding of visual field abnormalities. In turn, contemporary approaches to management have also changed and revolve around earlier initiation of pressure lowering medication based on pre-perimetric findings. This article presents an approach to the assessment of the patient with suspected glaucoma, highlighting those structural and ancillary diagnostic investigations that will aid in the correct diagnosis. It also discusses the differentiation of glaucoma from other, non-glaucomatous disease processes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005901 Glaucoma An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Glaucomas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014792 Visual Acuity Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast. Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities
D014794 Visual Fields The total area or space visible in a person's peripheral vision with the eye looking straightforward. Field, Visual,Fields, Visual,Visual Field
D058609 Visual Field Tests Method of measuring and mapping the scope of vision, from central to peripheral of each eye. Automated Perimetry Exam,Campimetry,Perimetry,Tangent Screen Exam,Visual Field Exam,Automated Perimetry Exams,Campimetries,Exam, Automated Perimetry,Exam, Tangent Screen,Exam, Visual Field,Exams, Automated Perimetry,Exams, Tangent Screen,Exams, Visual Field,Field Exam, Visual,Field Exams, Visual,Field Test, Visual,Field Tests, Visual,Perimetries,Perimetry Exam, Automated,Perimetry Exams, Automated,Screen Exam, Tangent,Screen Exams, Tangent,Tangent Screen Exams,Test, Visual Field,Tests, Visual Field,Visual Field Exams,Visual Field Test
D041623 Tomography, Optical Coherence An imaging method using LASERS that is used for mapping subsurface structure. When a reflective site in the sample is at the same optical path length (coherence) as the reference mirror, the detector observes interference fringes. OCT Tomography,Optical Coherence Tomography,Coherence Tomography, Optical,Tomography, OCT

Related Publications

Joseph San Laureano
January 2007, The Annals of thoracic surgery,
Joseph San Laureano
October 1994, Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons,
Joseph San Laureano
September 2018, JAMA,
Joseph San Laureano
September 2003, Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.),
Joseph San Laureano
September 2019, Resuscitation,
Joseph San Laureano
July 2001, The Journal of rheumatology,
Joseph San Laureano
February 2002, The Medical journal of Australia,
Joseph San Laureano
May 2014, The Urologic clinics of North America,
Joseph San Laureano
February 2012, The Health service journal,
Joseph San Laureano
November 1987, Postgraduate medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!