Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Introduction

Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the eyes that have as a common final status optic neuropathy characterized by progressive loss of nerve fibers of the retina and changes in the appearance of the optic nerve. Something that makes it relevant to this condition is that in most affected individuals have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease when they occur, are usually visual field defects and vision loss. The appearance of these symptoms may mean that the disease is in an advanced stage of its evolution. It is unusual that there is eye pain in chronic glaucoma, but is common in acute glaucoma (angle-closure glaucoma), which if severe can cause symptoms from the beginning.

Thesis statement

The paper discusses about “Glaucoma” and its effect on the patients. There are several types of glaucoma, each of whom has a different origin and evolution, so the general definition set forth above may not apply to all forms of this disease. Most of the cases corresponds to the so-called chronic simple glaucoma.

Discussion

Terminology

The term "glaucoma" is not used for hypertonia eye (usually mild) without effects on the optic nerve that are still to be monitored because some may develop into glaucoma.

We now know that the level of hypertension may because glaucoma is unique to each individual, which makes diagnosis of the disease difficult at the beginning. The border is sometimes difficult to establish between simple harmless and hypertonia with risk of glaucoma. There is a relationship and continuity between frequent but not systematic ocular hypertension and glaucoma, which actually represent different stages of the same disease.

Anatomy and physiology

Aqueous humor

The intraocular pressure is a function of volume of aqueous humor contained in the anterior chamber of the eye. The aqueous humor is secreted by the ciliary body in space called the posterior chamber, then passes through the pupil (between the iris and lens) in the anterior chamber (space between the cornea and iris curtain). It is then absorbed into the anterior chamber angle through the filter trabecular meshwork, then drained into the canal of Schlemm .

Intraocular Pressure

The intraocular pressure in adults is usually between 10 and 21 mm of mercury (Hg) (mean 16). It is measured using tonometers automated air-jet.

Define normal IOP in a given person needs to know the rigidity of the cornea which depends mainly on its thickness. Indeed, the measure is not directly in the aqueous humor but through the cornea. In addition, it influences the measurement. People with thick corneas have an eye pressure measured as high as anyone with a thin cornea.

Causes of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is disturbed circulation of the fluid. Fluid builds up; the intraocular pressure starts to rise. Optic nerve and other eye structures have increased pressure, blood flow is disturbed eyes. Because of optic nerve atrophy and visual signals are no longer enter the brain. Man begins to see worse, disturbed peripheral vision, resulting in a limited area of ??visibility, and eventually blindness can occur (Molteno, ...