Glaucoma : Causes | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention Tips

Glaucoma is one of the most common and severe eye disorders in people over 60. Early treatment is vital, or the condition can ultimately lead to blindness.

The ciliary body in the eye constantly produces a fluid called aqueous humor, which circulates from behind the iris, through the pupil, and into the chamber between the iris and the cornea. In a healthy eye the fluid drains out of the eye through a network of tissue between the iris and the cornea, which is called the drainage angle. From there it flows into a channel that leads to a network of small veins on the outside of the eye. In some eyes the drainage angle does not work properly. As a result, the aqueous humor either flows away more slowly than it is produced or fails to flow away at all, and pressure builds up in the eye. Part of the extra pressure is exerted, via the lens, onto the vitreous humor, the jelly-like fluid that fills the eyeball behind the lens.

The pressure of the vitreous humor on the retina causes the collapse of tiny blood ves­sels that nourish the light -sensitive cells of the retina and the fibers of the optic nerve, both of which playa vital part in vision. Since they are deprived of the blood that provides them with essential nutrients and oxygen, the cells and nerve fibers begin to die, and vision begins to fade.

The cause, extent and type of glaucoma can vary considerably. Certain drugs can hasten the onset of the condition. The two most common types of the disease, both of which are described here, are acute glaucoma (also known as angle closure glaucoma) and chronic glaucoma (also known as open angle glaucoma).

No Comments yet »