GLAUCOMA
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness.
What Causes Glaucoma?
The eye is filled with aqueous humor and vitreous humor
Aqueous humor is a clear fluid in the front part of the eye.
Vitreous humor is a clear, jelly-like substance that fills the eye behind the lens and helps the eyeball keep its shape.
In a normal eye, aqueous humor is produced, circulates through the eye, and then drains out through the trabecular meshwork, which is the eye's filtration system. This is a series of tiny channels near the angle formed by the cornea,(the clear portion of the eye), the iris (the colored portion of the eye), and the sclera (the white of the eye).
If there is any sort of blockage in these channels, pressure builds up inside the eyeball.
Untreated pressure in the eye can damage and eventually destroy the optic nerve, leading to blindness.
The Most Common Type Of Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma, which is also called chronic simple glaucoma, is the most common form of the condition. This is the type experienced by 80 percent of glaucoma sufferers.
Open-angle glaucoma often runs in families, but does not always affect every member of the family. It can also skip one or more generations. When it does strike, it almost always affects both eyes.
The aqueous humor
drains out of the eye near the "angle" formed by the cornea, the iris, and the sclera. Open-angle glaucoma gets its name because although it looks as if this angle is open-there is no visible blockage-something is preventing fluid drainage.
Who Gets Glaucoma?
Black people are more likely to develop glaucoma than any other race. No one fully understands why this is so
Other factors can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.
The risk is higher if a person has:
- A family history (glaucoma seems to trace in families)
- Diabetes
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- A previous eye injury
Some researchers believe there may be a link between glaucoma and high blood pressure, but this has not been proven.
Do People With Glaucoma Have To Change The Way They Live?
As a rule, no. People with glaucoma can continue to read, do fine detail work, and use their eyes the way they always have.
- Some things you can do to help are:
- Have your blood pressure checked regularly
- Quit smoking
- Get regular exercise
However, a person with glaucoma should avoid activities such as yoga, which may require you to stand on your head. This can raise eye pressure.
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