Bulbar pressure test in glaucoma

Abstract

(1) The principles of the bulbar pressure test and its application are described. (2) The results indicate that the test is of value in the early diagnosis of chronic simple glaucoma, but is apt to be misleading in congestive glaucoma. (3) The test is of value in investigating the success of filtering operations. (4) When combined with tonography, the test enables the examiner to decide whether surgery is necessary in any individual case. (5) The nature of the results obtained in cases of chronic simple glaucoma suggests that the main factor in this disease is obstruction to aqueous outflow, and that this obstruction has two components: one permanent, anatomical, and sclerotic, and the other variable and vascular in origin. (6) A scheme for the rapid calculation of results is given in the Appendix overleaf.