Glaucoma Examination

Your First Visit
Dr. Olivier recommends that someone accompany you to the office. During your first office visit, you will fill out a medical questionnaire. Dr. Olivier will review your medical history as well as all medications you are currently taking. The medications include over the counter and medications prescribed for other conditions. Any eye medications you may be using will also be reviewed. (Click the images below for larger versions.)

Once the review is complete, Dr. Olivier will test your vision. The doctor will do a GDX examination to evaluate the nerve fiber layer in your eye. This test needs to be done before the eye is dilated.

Then a slit lamp examination will be performed to look at the structures in the front part of the eye.

The intraocular pressure will be measured and the time documented after numbing drops are placed in the eye. Dr. Olivier will evaluate the drainage site of the eye with a gonioscopic lens (special contact lens).

Next, additional eye drops will be used for a dilated examination. Dilation of your pupils is necessary to completely examine the back of your eyes. The major effects of the eye drops generally wear off after 3 to 4 hours for most people.

During this visit you will receive a visual field examination. This allows the doctor to check on the status of you peripheral or "side" vision.

Then your eyes will be reevaluated by Dr. Olivier. She will look at the details of the optic nerve and the back of the eye (the retina) with an indirect ophthalmoscope. All the findings will be documented.

At the end of the examination, Dr. Olivier will discuss the findings with you and will also talk about the treatment. At this time she encourages that the person who accompanied you to the office join you in the room. This allows both of you to get the answers to any questions you may have, particularly if surgery is being suggested. If medicine is prescribed or a laser procedure is necessary, the office will give you a return appointment.

Sometimes other eye specialists are needed to evaluate a particular finding from the examination. Or sometimes, Dr. Olivier will need special photos of the back of your eye to document the size and shape of the optic nerve. If this is the case, she will try to find an eye doctor close to where you live to take the picture. A copy of the letter referring you for the photos or second opinion will be sent to your original eye doctor. In the letter, Dr. Olivier will convey her findings and concerns about your eyes. Your referring doctor will also receive a copy of the letter and her findings informing them of what her concerns are. You can be confident with a referral by Dr. Olivier, who has access to an excellent network of other eye doctors.

Follow-ups
If everything is stable after your appointment, Dr. Olivier will see you approximately every 3 to 4 months. If an appointment is made for a second opinion, then you will return to your original eye doctor for further follow-up and treatment. Sometimes, Dr. Olivier will work with your doctor and reevaluate you once to twice a year. Visual field and GDX examinations are generally done once or twice a year. Dilated examinations are also done periodically. You should see the doctor at once if you notice any changes in vision or new symptoms.

Surgery
If surgery is suggested contact information for your primary care physician, including address, and phone number, will be needed. Dr. Olivier's staff will write a letter directly to your physician about the need for surgery.

Surgery is scheduled at one of several medical centers where Dr. Olivier has privileges. Most of the time the surgery requires only IV sedation and can be done as an outpatient procedure. Postoperative appointments for the day after the surgery and several weeks thereafter will then be scheduled. Medications will be changed after any surgical procedure.

If at any time you have any questions or concerns, or would like a second opinion on any recommendations given by Dr. Olivier, she encourages you to let her know. She can facilitate getting the proper information to another glaucoma specialist.

To make an appointment or ask about fees, call Dr. Olivier's office at 847-882-5848. For information about office hours and the various office locations, visit the contact page.