Glaucoma Test.

[kat-kin]

I had an eye test at a different opticians due to relocation. My former optician always did the glaucoma test but the new optician said they don't test for glaucoma (The puffy one) as they don't give proper results and are being phased out. Does anyone know about this? tia.

[petal54]

I've not heard this,am testedso will find out no doubt for this also,as dad had the condition,due for test soon,

[bhg481]

The optician's test isn't dead accurate but accurate enough to decide whether you need to go to hospital to use their more-accurate equipment. Eye-pressure apparently varies throughout the day, so there isn't a definitive pressure. They like your pressure to be below about 20 - if it's much above that they may suggest you have a retest another day or get your doctor to refer you to hospital.
I see no reason why an optician shouldn't test you - find a new optician.

[Jomlett]

No pressure test, but I had an xray taken last year for the first time and the optician pointed out what was either a small burst blood vessel or the start of glaucoma and through my doctor I was sent to the city eye hospital for further examination. Happy to say, the anomaly had cleared and I was referred the low risk clinic 6 months later.

[diddlydo]

My optician still does the test.

[ladyalex]

My optician also still does the test .
I also get to see what the back of my eye looks like on his screen along with the pictures from previous years so that comparison can be made.
I think I'd change optician. There are plenty to choose from.

[bhg481]

My wife and I both had eye tests in December (Specsavers) and we had the glaucoma test. My wife attends hospital annually for glaucoma tests as her pressures were round about 20 some years ago. This year her hospital test gave 16, her Specsaver test, a week later, gave 20.

[gness]

Kat...you really must have a glaucoma test when you visit the optician. Puff tests aren't terribly accurate and I know hospitals can be a bit sniffy at the number of unnecessary referrals they get.

But a good optician will be updating testing equipment rather than not doing the test.

[Garador]

My (private) optician referred me to hospital as my pressures were higher than they should have been. I now attend hospital every 6 months and am on drops daily.

Pressure rose to 30+ in both eyes, but have now steadied in the low 20s.

Good luck.

[kat-kin]

Well thank you all for your replies. Oddly enough I was going to Specsavers initially but I went to a family firm of long standing. I think we all need a glaucoma test especially as we get older so I'm phoning Specsavers or others tomorrow. I won't be going back to the other firm. I read your replies with interest,thanks again all.