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NHMRC Glaucoma Guidelines - ANZGIG

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<strong>NHMRC</strong> GUIDELINES FOR THE SCREENING, PROGNOSIS, DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF GLAUCOMA<br />

Chapter 7 – Diagnosis of glaucoma<br />

Figure 7.1: Components of the diagnostic process<br />

HISTORY<br />

INTRAOCULAR<br />

PRESSURE<br />

EYE<br />

FUNCTION<br />

EYE<br />

STRUCTURE<br />

Health care providers should be mindful of the different presentations of glaucoma, and the<br />

need to use a systematic approach to elicit diagnostic information. In certain cases, glaucoma can<br />

present as a medical emergency. Confirmatory diagnosis of glaucoma may require more than one<br />

consultation with a health care provider, and the involvement of an ophthalmologist. Moreover<br />

diagnosis is not made on the basis of a single test, rather a combination of test methodologies<br />

and technological tools. A diagnosis is generally made on the basis of characteristic degenerative<br />

changes in the optic disc, and matching defects in VFs.<br />

Diagnosis may require repeated longitudinal evaluation and monitoring to document progressive<br />

changes (as outlined in Figure 7.2). Optic disc structural review is particularly important, as commonly<br />

a loss in disc neuroretinal rim and/or retinal nerve fibre loss is detected prior to VF loss. This so-called<br />

‘pre-perimetric glaucoma’ should be considered as glaucoma, especially where accurate disc-imaging<br />

modalities have been used to detect the disc change. Up to 37% of optic nerve fibres need to be lost<br />

before a VF defect is identified with standard automated perimetry (Kerrigan, Zack, Quigley et al 1997;<br />

Quigley, Nickells, Kerrigan et al 1995). The positive and negative predictive values of the tests applied<br />

by any health care provider are important in glaucoma diagnosis.<br />

Figure 7.2: Diagnostic continuum for patients with glaucoma<br />

Suspected early glaucoma<br />

with suspicious optic disc or<br />

ocular hypertension<br />

Rarely: Acute<br />

sudden onset<br />

Detection of matching<br />

visual field and disc signs<br />

Suspected<br />

secondary<br />

presentation<br />

of glaucoma<br />

Suspected secondary<br />

presentation of glaucoma<br />

chronic<br />

slow onset<br />

66 National Health and Medical Research Council

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