Glaucoma overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
''Glaucoma'' is a group of diseases of the [[optic nerve]] involving loss of [[ganglion cell|retinal ganglion cells]] in a characteristic pattern of [[optic atrophy|optic neuropathy]]. Although raised [[intraocular pressure]] is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma, there is no set threshold for [[IOP|intraocular pressure]] that causes glaucoma. One person may develop [[nerve damage]] at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high [[IOP|eye pressure]] for years and yet never develop damage. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the [[optic nerve]] and resultant [[visual field]] loss, which can progress to [[blindness]].[[Image:Human eye cross-sectional view grayscale.png|thumb|220px|left|Human eye cross-sectional view. Courtesy [[National Institutes of Health|NIH]] [[National Eye Institute]]]] | |||
Glaucoma has been nicknamed "the silent sight thief".<ref>[http://www.cvr.org.au/glaucoma.htm "Glaucoma."] Centre for Vision Research. Accessed October 17, 2006.</ref> | Glaucoma has been nicknamed "the silent sight thief".<ref>[http://www.cvr.org.au/glaucoma.htm "Glaucoma."] Centre for Vision Research. Accessed October 17, 2006.</ref> |
Revision as of 14:59, 29 January 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Although raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma, there is no set threshold for intraocular pressure that causes glaucoma. One person may develop nerve damage at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high eye pressure for years and yet never develop damage. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.
Glaucoma has been nicknamed "the silent sight thief".[1]
References
- ↑ "Glaucoma." Centre for Vision Research. Accessed October 17, 2006.