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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 />

Symptoms described by the patient<br />

Open angle glaucoma is generally symptomless in its early stages. It is not until significant<br />

neuronal damage has occurred that characteristic visual loss is observed.<br />

Acute angle closure (AAC) is associated with significant and distressing symptoms. These may<br />

present as either an acute scenario, or as patient descriptions of past attacks.<br />

Chronic angle closure symptoms are often absent. The symptoms that should alert health care<br />

providers to the presence of AC are detailed in Table 7.1, extracted from the European <strong>Glaucoma</strong><br />

Society [EGS] (2003).<br />

Table 7.1: Symptoms of angle closure<br />

SYMPTOMS<br />

Acute<br />

angle<br />

closure<br />

Intermittent<br />

angle closure<br />

Chronic angle closure<br />

Blurred vision √ At time of attack presents<br />

as AAC<br />

Between attacks may be<br />

symptomless<br />

Variable – chronic angle closure mimics<br />

primary open angle glaucoma<br />

It is asymptomatic until visual field loss<br />

interferes with quality of life<br />

Coloured rings<br />

around lights<br />

√<br />

Transient if present<br />

Pain √ Not usually<br />

Frontal headache √ Discomfort rather than pain<br />

Palpitations and<br />

abdominal pain<br />

Nausea and<br />

vomiting<br />

√<br />

√<br />

X<br />

X<br />

Examination of eye structure<br />

<strong>Glaucoma</strong> describes a group of eye diseases in which there is progressive damage to the optic<br />

nerve. This is characterised by specific structural abnormalities of optic nerve head and associated<br />

patterns of VF loss (Burr, Azuara-Blanco & Avenell 2004). Changes that occur in glaucoma include<br />

excavation of the optic nerve head (often termed cupping), loss of neuroretinal rim, and frequently,<br />

optic disc haemorrhages. It is essential to use the best possible approach to eye examination to<br />

identify these changes.<br />

Optic disc<br />

Ophthalmoscopy: Direct ophthalmoscopy is best performed with the pupils dilated and the<br />

room darkened. This provides a magnified view of the optic disc. The main disadvantage is the<br />

absence of a stereoscopic view. Indirect ophthalmoscopy performed with a slit lamp yields a<br />

magnified stereoscopic view of the optic disc and retinal nerve fibre layer. It is the examination<br />

method of choice.<br />

National Health and Medical Research Council 69

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