Gonioscopy is an eye test used to diagnose glaucoma, a serious eye disorder that can cause vision loss. The test examines the angle where the cornea and iris join to determine if the drainage angle is accessible, narrowed, or blocked. It is painless and takes a few minutes to complete. Contact lens wearers should remove their lenses before the test and avoid rubbing their eyes afterward.
Gonioscopy is an eye test that can be done to diagnose glaucoma, a potentially serious eye disorder that could lead to vision loss. The test is usually done with a special lens to properly examine the angular area where the cornea and iris join. While a gonioscopy can be fairly painless, a topical anesthetic is often placed into the patient’s eye to ease any discomfort. The test takes a few minutes and is usually conducted in the doctor’s office.
Glaucoma is a condition that can develop when a naturally secreted fluid known as aqueous humor builds up in the eye, increasing the internal pressure in the eye. Sometimes an obstruction that prevents fluid from draining could be causing the problem. In some cases, the eye produces more fluid than normal, which may not be cleared quickly, resulting in increased internal or intraocular pressure.
There are different types of glaucoma. In the most common form called primary open-angle glaucoma, intraocular pressure tends to increase gradually, while in the closed-angle form of glaucoma, the pressure can rise quite rapidly. If the pressure is higher than the eye can handle, it could damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Therefore, one can suffer from decreased vision and eventually blindness if glaucoma is left untreated.
A gonioscopy is one of the diagnostic tests that could help detect glaucoma. The test allows the ophthalmologist to observe and evaluate the angle at which the cornea and iris converge. This region is the outlet through which aqueous humor normally exits the eye.
Gonioscopy can indicate whether the drainage angle is accessible, narrowed, or blocked. The test could help your doctor diagnose the form of glaucoma, determine the underlying cause, and ascertain damage to the area. A grading system is often referred to to interpret test results based on variations in angle width.
An ophthalmologist can perform the procedure with a goniolens. There are several types of lenses used for gonioscopy and they may have one or more mirrors. Typically, during the test, the specialized lens is placed gently on the surface of the eye and a thin beam of light is directed into the eye. Before the procedure, the ophthalmologist usually numbs the eye with anesthetic eye drops.
Contact lens wearers are generally advised to remove their lenses before testing. Usually, the lenses can be worn again one hour after the test or when the effect of the eye drops has worn off. Another precautionary measure that may be advised is to avoid rubbing your eyes for about twenty minutes after the gonioscopy.
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