The patient is automatically moved head first into the CT gantry, and the x-ray tomogram is acquired. Now the patient is automatically moved through the PET gantry, which is mounted in parallel with the CT gantry, and the PET slices are acquired. The patient may now leave the device, and the PET-CT software starts reconstructing and aligning the PET and CT images.
Diagnostic Procedures. Three common diagnostic procedures, tonometry, visual field tests, and ophthalmoscopy, enable ophthalmologists to screen patients for glaucoma. To make a definitive diagnosis, ophthalmologists often use all 3 procedures as part of an overall eye examination. The procedures are simple, relatively quick, and virtually painless.
If treated early it is possible to slow or stop the progression of disease with medication, laser treatment, or surgery. The goal of these treatments is to decrease eye pressure. A number of different classes of glaucoma medication are available. Laser treatments may be effective in both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma. A number of types of glaucoma surgeries may be used in people who do not respond sufficiently to other measures.