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Glaucoma is a group of diseases that causes damage to the
eye's optic nerves leading to impaired vision or
blindness.
Why is the early treatment of Glaucoma important?
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
Approximately 2,500,000 people have some degree of visual loss
from glaucoma. It affects people of all ages and all races. Since
most patients have no symptoms from glaucoma, by the time a
person notices visual loss, damage from glaucoma is usually
advanced.
Most blindness from glaucoma is needless and could have been
prevented if detected and treated in time. The GDx - Nerve Fiber
Analyzer, available at the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic, is the
most advanced technology to date for the early diagnosis of
glaucoma.
GDx - Nerve Fiber Analyzer
 The GDx machine uses a technology to measure your
actual nerve fiber layer (65,536 different points) to determine
how "healthy" it is.
The test is quick (2 to 3 minutes) and painless. It does not
require dilation.
The GDx machine is able to detect glaucoma long before other
exams can. Using visual field exams (where you try to detect
specific points of light while looking straight ahead) will
detect that you have in fact lost vision. Many times 20% of your
nerve fiber function can be lost before an abnormality is
detected.
The GDx machine is able to more accurately measure the
progression or stabilization of glaucoma.
It is also able to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of
the medicines used to treat your glaucoma.
My doctor sits me at a machine that measures the pressure
in my eye. Isn't this checking for glaucoma?
This test, called tonometry, is a simple office test used to
detect elevated intraocular pressure. While high pressure puts
you at risk for glaucoma, it does not always mean you have the
disease. 1/3 of people with glaucoma have "normal"
pressures. Whether or not you get glaucoma depends on the level
of pressure your optic nerve can tolerate without being damaged.
This level is different for each person.
The physicians of the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic are proud to
be on the leading edge in offering our patients this advanced
technology for the early detection of glaucoma.
Further reading:
Sample GDx test results
Additional GDx
Information
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