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Glaucoma is a disease that affects up to 3% of the
population in the Western World. It is known as "the thief of sight" as up to 50% of those with the disease do not know they have it. The disease causes thinning of the nerve fibre layer in the retina and over time results in a characteristic gradual loss of vision, with untreated glaucoma leading to blindness.
Standard Testing for Glaucoma
 Eye Pressure
Eye pressure tests are commonly used, however a significant proportion of those who develop glaucoma have normal eye pressures! |
 Visual Field Tests
Thorough visual field tests show the progression of the disease and are vital in monitoring the disease, however often 24-50% of the nerve fibre thinning has already occurred before a visual field test can pick up a problem. |
 Optic Nerve Assessment
By careful examination of the nerve head (at the back of the eye), changes can be observed to show glaucoma damage, these changes often occur after nerve fibre thinning has already taken place. |
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GDx a new test
- A remarkable new test has been developed that can pick up nerve fibre layer loss before any loss of vision has
occurred.
- Quick and easy, using an invisible, safe, low powered laser the GDx scans the nerve layer and compares the thickness of this layer to a database of normal patients. The complete test takes about 5 minutes with the scan itself taking less than a second.
- Stress free: the GDx is a very sophisticated instrument that takes these
measurements painlessly and with no strain on you as a patient. All you have to do is look into the instrument and keep still for one second while you are scanned.
- This test is new and currently not covered by the NHS eye examination, a charge may apply.
DGxVCC™
Nerve Fibre Analyser
The test provides an easy to interpret colour map of your rental nerve fibre layer (RNFL) making positive early diagnosis routine.
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Normal |
RNFL Distress |
Pre-perimetric RNFL loss |
Moderate
RNFL loss |
Advanced
RNFL loss |
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 Who should be tested for glaucoma?
Glaucoma can affect people of all ages and races, however those at greatest risk are:
- People over the age of 40
- People of African or Caribbean origin
- Anyone with high eye pressure
- Anyone with a family history of glaucoma
- Diabetics
- Long-term steroid users
- Anyone who is very short sighted
Your sight is precious; once you have lost vision with glaucoma you cannot get it back. the best way to preserve your sight is early detection of the disease.
Please discuss this new test with your optometrist/doctor at your next eye examination and they can give you the best guidance and additional information on the GDx and any other tests to help protect your sight.
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