Is getting tested for Glaucoma a standard procedure?

I just went in for a eye doctor appointment after my files expired after 2 years and at the end he wanted me to come back for more testing to get tested for Glaucoma.

Is this a standard procedure just because i haven't been to a eye check-up in awhile or should i be worried.

I think the reason he is making me come back is because i kept blinking everytime he puffed the air

yes, it is a standard procedure...it's just eye drops and then he takes a look....not a problem.

It is normal. They test me every time I go for new glasses. However, I always decline it because I HATE that puff of air going in my eyes! lol... i'm such a big baby at 33!

It's very normal. I've worn contact for...eeek....21 years. Every time i get my eyes checked they do a Glaucoma test. It can't hurt. May as well while you are there.

Yes. I have been tested many times. If it goes untreated it could cause blindness. They just puff air in your eye-ball.

when i go to the eye doctor i get tested every time and that is once a year. they test at the begining of the exam for me here . its just a machine that you look into that shoots this puff of air at your eyeball . it doesnt hurt at all. thats normal procedure here for me at my eye doctor . then again i use reading glasses i dont know how else they test you for that

yes its part of a standard eye exam. i hate that little puff of air

I had another type of test for glaucoma. I'm not sure what everyone is talking about by "puffs of air" The procedure I was given was they handed me a push button and I was to push it every time a saw a flash of light in front of me. I did that twice but the last time I went to the eye doctor's they didn't do it. I'm only 25 but apparently they wanted to make sure I didn't have it because my grandma does =P

No, its standard, but he should have done it all at the same time, my eye doctor does.........

its nothing to worry about...its an easy test

Yes it is a standard procedure where they check the pressure of your eyeball by blowing a blasts of air in it. It feels like getting hit in the eye and although painless the fact that you know it's coming makes me flinch.

Glaucoma screening should be done annually. Years (decades) ago they never checked for such things as glaucoma and many people wound up with major/severe complications when it was found too late, i.e., the optic nerve was eaten away in a severe case (the lack of screening for over 30 years while the individual had it at a very young age).

Your records are only a few years old, I certainly can't see that being the case with you. We always hear that prevention is the best medicine, in this case I agree wholeheartedly.

I'm sure your doctor has all of your best interests in mind or he wouldn't have recommended the infamous screening. When you go for the test, you can ask him to explain further about what glaucoma is, what causes it, what signs to look for (other than the annual screening), and why it is so important to get the annual screening. This will all put your mind at ease!

Good luck, don't forget to have another driver that can take you home after the screening!