Diagnosing glaucoma

Glaucoma cannot be diagnosed by a simple screening pressure test, a common misperception amongst many patients.  This is because up to 20% of people may have normal pressures at time of screening.  Conversely, many patients with elevated intraocular pressures may not have glaucoma.  Because diagnosing glaucoma is not always straightforward, especially in early cases your eye care specialist often relies on other diagnostic tests and signs.  For instance the appearance of the optic nerve entering the eye is often an indicator of a problem.  When the optic nerve has a scooped out appearanc centrally it is referred to as an optic nerve cup.  If enlarged or has an assymetrical appearance it may be suggestive of glaucoma.  This and other signs and test such as visual fields help make the diagnosis.  Also of importance is family history and patiet age.

At North Shore Eye Care we have the latest diagnostic equipment to help you make this diagnosis.  Our Board Certified Opthalmologists have extensive training and experience dealing with glaucoma diagnosis and treatment..We have extensive hours serving patients up to 12 hours a day most days of the week.  Patients with emergent needs can be seen within a few hours and our office is open daily 6 days a week.

At North Shore Eye Care we service patients as far West as  New York City.  Patients on Long Island come as far west as Garden City, Port Washington, Manhasset, Glen Cove, Mineola, Hempstead, Levittown, Bethpage, Plainview, and in all areas of Suffolk County including Huntington, Melville, Dix Hills, Commack, Kings Park, Smithtown, Stony Brook, Coram, Holbrook, Coram, Rocky Point, Manorville, Middle Island, Moriches, Manorville, Riverhead, Mattituck, the Hamptons, Cutchogue, James Port and all other townships in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.