Glaucoma: Detection/Risks Regular eye examinations by your ophthalmologist are the best way to detect glaucoma. An ophthalmologist is a medical eye doctor. Your ophthalmologist can detect and treat glaucoma. During a complete and painless examination, your ophthalmologist will: Measure your intraocular pressure (tonometry) Inspect the drainage angle of your eye (gonioscopy) Evaluate any optic nerve damage (ophthalmoscopy) Test the visual field of each eye (perimetry) Some of these tests may not be necessary for every person. You may need to repeat these tests on a regular basis, to determine if glaucoma damage is increasing over time. Who Is At Risk For Glaucoma? High pressure alone does not mean that you have glaucoma. Your ophthalmologist puts together many kinds of information to determine your risk for developing the disease. The most important risk factors include: Age Near-sightedness African ancestry A family history of glaucoma Past injuries to the eyes A history of severe anemia or shock Your ophthalmologist will weigh all of these factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma, or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect. This means your risk of developing glaucoma is higher than normal, and you need to have regular examinations to detect the early signs of damage to the optic nerve.