Glaucoma

Opticians Newcastle All our professional Optometric services are provided by John Davidson, & Sarah Townsend- fully qualified, and registered UK Optometrists.
More information about our professional staff

Glaucoma assessment

Many patients are found to have raised Intraocular pressures, a family history of glaucoma, abnormal optic disc appearances, or abnormal visual fields during routine eye examinations. These patients need more in-depth investigation, as they are at risk of open angle glaucoma.

We recommend that these patients have pupil dilation to aid optic disc assessment. We also recommend photography, gonioscopy, threshold visual field analysis (rather than screening), and GdX VCC optic nerve analysis when necessary.

These assessments are used as a way to monitor “at risk patients” & hold back un-necessary referrals to the local department of Ophthalmology until there are definite signs of pathology. We also use these appointments to refine referrals, so that we can help GPs & Ophthalmologists to efficiently prioritise their patients for treatment.


GdX assessment

Our GdX instrument uses a scanning laser to measure the thickness of the transparent nerve fibre layer adjacent to the optic nerve head. It can accurately track atrophy of the optic disc, and can potentially detect glaucoma more than 6 years before visual field defects occur. This machine is used mainly for glaucoma detection & monitoring, and for other causes of optic atrophy such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Book a Glaucoma Assessment
Book a GdX Assessment