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Treatments

Glaucoma Testing

Early detection can prevent blindness
While there is no simple glaucoma testing that's 100 percent effective, diagnostic testing still provides the best early detection. Early detection can prevent blindness. Yet a Glaucoma Research Foundation survey found that only a little over half of Americans regularly have the eye test that best uncovers glaucoma. That test, called a dilated eye exam, should be conducted on a regular basis depending on your risk factors.

Additionally, the doctor should also check the peripheral (side) vision with a visual field test. Without doing both, it's likely half of all types of glaucoma will be missed.

When to get tested
If you have no risk factors:

  • Once between ages 35 and 40
  • Every two to four years after age 40
  • Every one to two years after age 60

African-Americans should be checked every year after age 30.

Glaucoma testing can be conducted by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. It can include the following.

Visual acuity
This eye chart test measures vision at various distances.
Visual field
This test measures side (peripheral) vision. It helps the eye doctor find out if side vision has been lost-a sign of glaucoma.
Dilated eye exam
This examination enables the doctor to see the optic nerve to check for damage. To do this, drops are placed in the eye to dilate (widen) the pupil. After the examination, close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours and the eyes will be more sensitive to bright lights. A dilated eye exam checks the optic nerve, and should be conducted in addition to measuring intraocular pressure (IOP).
Tonometry
This standard test for glaucoma determines the fluid pressure inside the eye-IOP. There are many types of tonometry. One type of test uses a gentle, brief touch to the eye to measure pressure. Another is the “air puff” test which measures the resistance of the eye to a puff of air.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

INDICATION
TRAVATAN Z® Solution is a prescription medicine to lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma who have trouble tolerating their current medicine or for whom that medication is not working well enough.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications:
Do not use TRAVATAN Z® Solution if you are hypersensitive to travoprost or any other ingredients in this product.
Precautions and Warnings:
Some patients may experience darkening of the iris (the colored part of the eye) which is most noticeable in patients who only receive treatment in one eye. Patients may also experience growth and thickening of their eyelashes, and/or darkening of the skin around the eye. These changes may be permanent.
Side Effects:
The most common side effect with TRAVATAN Z® Solution is redness of the eye (also known as ocular hyperemia). Other side effects include eye discomfort, a feeling of something in the eye, eye pain and itching.

For more information, please see the full prescribing information