Glaucoma Screening and Diagnosis

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• Age 40+ (earlier if you have risk factors)
• Family history of glaucoma or blindness of unknown cause
• African, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian ancestry
• Diabetes, sleep apnea, migraine, low blood pressure
• Long-term steroid use (drops, pills, inhalers, skin creams)
• High myopia (nearsightedness) or prior eye injury
• Elevated eye pressure noted elsewhere

Glaucoma is usually silent. Rare warning signs include patchy side-vision loss, halos around lights, or eye pain/redness with nausea (angle-closure emergency). If you notice these, seek same-day care.

• Medical and ocular history, risk assessment
• Visual acuity  (baseline)
• Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement
• Corneal thickness (pachymetry) to refine IOP risk
• Gonioscopy (microscopic exam of the drainage angle)
• Dilated optic nerve evaluation
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers
• Visual field testing (perimetry) to assess functional vision
• Personalized plan and education

• Structure (OCT + exam): looks for thinning of nerve fiber layers or optic nerve cupping.
• Function (visual fields): maps blind spots and progression patterns.
• Pressure & risk: IOP interpreted with corneal thickness, blood-pressure profile, and family history.
  A diagnosis is made when structural and/or functional damage matches glaucoma patterns—even if IOP is “normal.”

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): most common, slow and silent.
• Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG): damage despite “normal” IOP; vascular risk often relevant.
• Angle-closure risk/disease: narrowed or blocked drainage angle; may need laser to prevent attacks.
• Secondary glaucomas: steroid-related, pigmentary, pseudoexfoliation, uveitic, traumatic.

• Check-in & history (10–15 min)
• Measurements & imaging (20–30 min)
• Visual field test (10–15 min/eye as needed)
• Doctor consultation & plan (15–20 min)
  Total time varies (typically 60–90 minutes).

• irst-line options: Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and/or prescription eye drops.
• Additional care: medications, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), or traditional surgery for advanced cases.
• Lifestyle: adherence coaching, nighttime/vascular risk review, protective eyewear, exercise guidance.

• Board-certified, UCLA fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist
• Evidence-based protocols; LiGHT-informed SLT pathways
• Same-week appointments; most insurances accepted
• Advanced diagnostics (OCT, perimetry, gonioscopy, pachymetry) on site
• Clear education, written results summary, and coordinated follow-up

• Bring current glasses, medication list (including steroids), and any prior eye records.
• Avoid heavy caffeine right before testing if possible.
• Arrange a driver if you prefer after dilation.

• You’ll receive a personalized assessment, test results explained in plain language, and a follow-up plan.  We coordinate with your primary eye doctor as desired.

• Is glaucoma curable?
  Not yet, but early detection and treatment can prevent or slow vision loss.
• Will the tests hurt?
  No. Most are non-contact and painless; dilation can blur near vision for a few hours.
• Do I need a referral?
  No—self-referrals are welcome. We accept most insurances. Call us for specific insurance questions.  All HMO's insurance plans require an authorization by your PCP.  Or choice to pay out of pocket to the the glaucoma specialist at a reduced rate.  
• How often should I be checked?
  Every 1–2 years starting at 40, or sooner/more often if you have risk factors.