During an eye exam, Dr. Griessel administers a series of tests to check not only your vision, but also any abnormalities that could be red flags of lingering glaucoma. Depending on your symptoms, she might administer 1 or several glaucoma tests. During a visual field test, for instance, you’ll look straight ahead into a machine that flashes a light at various points in your peripheral vision. Your job is to signal when you see the lights. If you miss any, it could be a warning sign that your peripheral vision is fading — an early warning sign of glaucoma.

The tonometry test — often known as the “puff of air” test — squirts a quick burst of air into your eye. This quick and painless test simply measures your eye pressure to see if you have any abnormalities. In some cases, Dr. Griessel might want to dilate your eyes with drops. Once your pupils are widened, she’ll see your optic nerve and retina, using specialized magnifying lenses.