Eye Pressure Test

[fruitsalad]

I have had this done twice now and both times it's been high so I am being referred to an eye specialist to do another test has anyone had this done with an eye specialist and if so what will he/she do differently I hate my eyes being poked about

[Mamyalynne]

I am just back from my routine visit to the Eye Unit, I have that test and others regularly.

High internal ocular pressure may indicate the early onset of Glaucoma, usually well controlled by drops.

[Sqad]

Glaucoma is in the frame.

The Ophthalmologist will take you medical history:
Check the pressure again.
Field vision
Optic nerve evaluation.

That's about it........non of the above are invasive.

[fruitsalad]

Thank you mamya what exactly will the test be with the specialist will it be another blowing of air into the eyes or something more involved

[fruitsalad]

Must of crossed posts thank you Sqad as helpful as ever

[Mamyalynne]

As Sqad outlines above, all the tests are simple and painless - it is only natural we flinch when eyes approached but they are used to that (so am I now) glad you are being seen nice and early.

[gness]

Hi FS....do you know what the pressures are? Mine are in the low thirties which always means a visit to the hospital. There is no reason for my readings and I have no eye problems but the threshold at which you will be referred has been lowered so more people are being referred.
The tests are similar just more refined than those at an optician and I believe, with more sophisticated equipment. I think they will also photograph the back of your eyes to keep as a reference point for future tests.
My pressures have been over thirty for fifteen or more years so it's not always a bad sign...x

[gness]

FS...I never have the jump out of your knickers puff of air now. The specialist holds my eye open and a blue circular light is brought to my eye. Completely painless and no Tena lady needed.....;-)

[Bazile]

I dont know exactly what they will do , but obviuosly a eye specialist has vast more experience ( i assume that the test done so far was at an optician ) and tools at his/her disposal to further investigate the raised pressure .

Raised pressure can lead to illnesses like Glaucoma

[Mamyalynne]

Gness you are fortunate that they are checking your optic nerves regularly, it is true that you can have raised pressure and no damage, mine was late diagnosed - so will always urge people to follow up just in case.

Had a few procedures today and a good laugh too, my myopia is so bad on top of the glaucoma getting a picture of my discs is a real uphill struggle but we got there.

[fruitsalad]

No I don't know what the pressures were gness he just said its not causing a problem yet but could do as I get older

[Peter Pedant]

.

vital if you have had a high pressure reading you are followed up
see Mamalynes post.

once treatment is prescribed by the specialist, it is vital you do as he says
see Mamalynes post.

[Bazile]

I was not deliberately posting advice given already - i started typing my post and got destracted before submitting

[gness]

Oh I know that Mamya...I do get a bit cheesed with a hospital appointment always following an eye test but at least anything wrong will be caught early.
I can tell when my eye pressure rises...I'm told that's not possible but I did win a bottle of wine from my optician by experimenting....and proving that I could.....☺

[Eve]

If you are likely to have the drops they put in to see to the back of your eye (I think, to see the optic nerve or something like that?) then don't plan on being anywhere for a while afterwards or driving. Someone to get you home would help.

They can really mess with your vision for a while, something I rather underestimated!

[Yorky Lass]

I am using drops for glaucoma so go regularly to the specialist. There is nothing to worry about. The nearest anyone comes to your eyes is to put the drops in. You sit resting your chin on the rest, you don't feel a thing. It's all done with lights.
There are different types of drops. After some you wouldn't be able to drive, however I have only had these twice in all the years I have been going. The others don't effect you at all. Take a pair of sun glasses with you just in case as it is the light outside that hurts your eyes.

[york310]

The drops used are a local anaesthetic to numb the eye so they can perform a contact pressure test rather than a non contact (puff of air) test.
They will also dilate the pupils to get a stereoscopic view of the optic nerve.

More people have been referred for high pressures over the past few years since a guideline from NICE was introduced that if the pressures are over 22 (or26 if you are 65yrs old) then the optician was advised to refer for glaucoma screening. This actually put unnecessary strain on the eye clinics with too many false referrals to the clinics.

The pressures are just a risk factor associated with developing glaucoma. Many people have normal eyes with pressures over 22 and many people get diagnosed with glaucoma with pressures below 22. The main thing that the ophthalmologist will look at is what your optic nerves look like.

Good luck with your assessment. Don't worry.