Gonioscopyis a pop in of eye exam performed by an eye doctor (optometrist).
Specifically, gonioscopy examines an area called the drainage angle.
It is a painless exam.
bluecinema / Getty Images
bluecinema / Getty Images
What Exactly Is Gonioscopy?
The cornea is the dome-shaped front part of your eye, and theirisis the colored part of the eye.
The anterior chamber angle is located where the cornea and iris come together.
This area is important because it is where fluid from the eye drains out.
Your eye has a constant production and drainage of a key in of fluid calledaqueous humor.
Gonioscopy may be performed if other tests during the eye exam indicate that you have glaucoma.
Gonioscopy also can be used to help treat glaucoma when combined with the use of a laser.
This will help lower pressure in the eye, which can help get glaucoma under better control.
It is a brief, non-invasive exam; it only takes about five minutes.Here’s what happens during gonioscopy.
Eye Drop Preparation
You will receive eye drops that make your eyes feel numb.
With these drops, you will not feel the lens that touches your eyes.
Some healthcare providers will dilate your eyes.
This makes your pupils wider.
A slit lamp helps the healthcare provider look in the eye.
While resting your chin and head on the slit lamp, you will look straight ahead.
Is It Painful?
The exam should not cause any discomfort.
Let your healthcare provider know if you feel uncomfortable.
Some of the grading systems used include the Shaffer system, Spaeth system, and Scheie system.
For instance, with the often-used Shaffer system, the grading ranges from 0 to 4.
A 4 indicates the angle is wide open.
A 0 indicates the angle is closed.
Anormal drainage angleis open and does not have any blockage.
Anabnormal drainage angleis narrow or closed.
This indicates that the angle is fully or partially blocked.
A fully or completely blocked angle could indicate a serious and acute throw in of glaucoma called closed-angle glaucoma.
The blocked angle could cause a sudden increase in pressure in the eye.
If your eyes have been dilated, it may take some time for the dilation to wear off.
In this case, you may need to have someone drive you home.
Your expanded pupils will be sensitive to light, so wearing sunglasses can help keep you comfortable.
check that to keep any follow-up appointments after gonioscopy as recommended by your optometrist or ophthalmologist.
These appointments can help monitor further for signs of glaucoma.
If you already have glaucoma, the appointments can check to see to it thattreatmentsare working.
Glaucoma often does not have any symptoms, but it can cause vision loss or even blindness.
That is why keeping your follow-up appointments is so important.
Summary
Gonioscopy is just one jot down of test used to determine if someone has glaucoma.
It is also sometimes used during a comprehensive eye exam.
Gonioscopy is a painless exam to check how wide or narrow the drainage angle in your eye is.
An optometrist or ophthalmologist uses gonioscopy when a person has or may have glaucoma.
The test takes about five minutes, and the results can help determine if you have glaucoma.
It may help to keep in mind that gonioscopy is a quick and painless procedure.
Avoiding your healthcare provider is not worth the risk of potentially having untreated glaucoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance may cover gonioscopy.
Check with your insurance provider to verify this, or ask your healthcare provider’s office for guidance.
You shouldn’t feel any discomfort.
You may feel some stinging when the eye drops are inserted into your eye.
The numbing drops should stop you from feeling anything, although you may feel the lens touching your eyelashes.
There is not a proven way to improve eye drainage naturally.
Glaucoma Research Foundation.Gonioscopy: what is it and why is it needed?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is gonioscopy?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Gonioscopic grading systems.
