Advanced Glaucoma Screening

At Martin  Reynolds Opticians we now offer the opportunity to perform an indepth investigation for glaucoma.

 

As early open angle glaucoma does not have any symptoms it is very important that people with family history of glaucoma are screened regularly. This enables us to detect the condition as early as possible allowing preventative treatment which will slow down the progression of glaucoma. It is important to note that at present there is no cure for glaucoma, it is managed.

 

Screening for glaucoma has improved remarkably through the years with the advancement of computerisation, developed techniques and greater understanding of the condition. The basics have always been measuring eye pressure (a measurement totally independant from blood pressure), assessing visual fields and checking the optic disc at the retina.

 

The 'basics' fall within the remit of the free NHS eye examination, which patients over the age of 40 and with family history of glaucoma, are entitled to.

 

Advanced Glaucoma Screening goes a stride further than the NHS examination.

 

Advanced Glaucoma Screening includes:

·         OCT - this enables us, for the first time, to measure the thickness of the nerve fibre layer around the optic disc. This turns a subjective assessment (one based on an optometrists interpretation) into an objective assessment (one based on actual data), therefore increasing accuracy.

·         Full Threshold Visual Field Assessment - this enables us to assess the sensitivity of the visual field in greater detail. The test is longer than a standard visual fields assessment, but it provides significantly more data.

The examination time for Advanced Glaucoma Screening is 40mins, which includes the routine eye exam. It costs £45 (this represents good value as some practices do charge £50 for OCT alone).

If you would like to have Advanced Glaucoma Screening please request it on booking your appointment.