Glaucoma

Overview

An eye care specialist can diagnose glaucoma using an eye exam, including several tests that are part of routine eye exams. In fact, eye exams can detect glaucoma long before you have eye damage and the symptoms that follow. Many of these tests involve pupil dilation (mydriasis), so your provider can get a better look inside your eye.

Some of the most helpful glaucoma tests include:

Visual acuity testing
Visual field testing
Depth perception testing
Tonometry
Pachymetry
Slit lamp exam
Gonioscopy

If your eye care specialist has a reason to suspect damage to your retina and/or optic nerve, they may also use additional types of eye imaging. These include:

Optical coherence tomography
Fluorescein angiography
Ultrasound
Less commonly, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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