How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Individuals at high risk for glaucoma should have a dilated-pupil eye examination at least every two years. Eye doctors use several tests to detect glaucoma:


  • The air-puff (noncontact) tonometer, which emits a puff of air. Eye pressure is measured by the eye's resistance to the air.
  • The applanation tonometer, which touches the eye's surface after the eye has been numbed and measures the amount of pressure necessary to flatten the cornea. This is the most sensitive tonometer, but a clear, regularly-shaped cornea is needed for it to function properly.
  • The electronic indentation method, which measures pressure by directly contacting anesthetized eyes with a digital pen-like instrument.

In pupil dilation, special drops temporarily enlarge the pupil so the doctor can better view the inside of the eye. Various instruments allow the doctor to determine the thickness of the cornea, to view the front and/or the interior of the eye, and to monitor optic nerve changes over time.


A visual acuity test uses an eye chart to measure sight at various distances.

Disease Stage:



Don't miss out.
Receive research updates, inspiring stories, and expert advice
Keep me imformed about: *
Please select at least one.
You must select at least one disease category.
Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.