Glaucoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 16:19, 14 January 2010
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What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye. [1]
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. There are four major types of glaucoma:
- Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma
- Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma
- Congenital glaucoma
- Secondary glaucoma
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
What are the causes of glaucoma?
The four major types of glaucoma have their own unique causes. However, before reviewing them, a brief overview of the anatomy of the eye may be helpful in understanding the causes of this disease:
The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is always being made in the back of the eye. It leaves the eye through channels in the front of the eye in an area called the anterior chamber angle, or simply the angle. Anything that slows or blocks the flow of this fluid out of the eye will cause pressure to build up in the eye. This pressure is called intraocular pressure (IOP). In most cases of glaucoma, this pressure is high and causes damage to the major nerve in the eye, called the optic nerve.
More specific causes by each major type of glaucoma are:
Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma
- The cause is unknown. An increase in eye pressure occurs slowly over time. The pressure pushes on the optic nerve and the retina at the back of the eye.
- Open-angle glaucoma tends to run in families. Your risk is higher if you have a parent or grandparent with open-angle glaucoma. People of African descent are at particularly high risk for this disease.
Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma
- It occurs when the exit of the aqueous humor fluid is suddenly blocked.
- Dilating eye drops and certain medications may trigger an acute glaucoma attack
Who is at risk for glaucoma?
Ocular hypertension is the most important risk factor for glaucoma.
How to know you have glaucoma?
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for glaucoma
Directions to Hospitals Treating glaucoma
Prevention of glaucoma
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.