Glaucoma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma consists of many eye abnormalities that result in the optic nerve being damaged. (Mayo Foundation, 2012) The primary way it can be damaged is by excessively high intraocular pressure or the (IOP) (Mayo Foundation, 2012). The pressure is caused by an excess aqueous humor, which is liquid that builds up and blocks the signal to the optic nerve (WebMD, 2005). In some severe cases it can result in a complete loss of vision. (Mayo Foundation, 2012) There are three forms of Glaucoma they are, open- angle glaucoma, closed- angle glaucoma and congenital glaucoma (WebMD, 2005). The most common form in all people is primary open-angled glaucoma (Mayo Foundation, 2012). In the United States it is the leading cause of vision loss (Mayo Foundation, 2012).

Primary Open- angled Glaucoma or also called wide-angle has no clear-cut symptoms in that people notice gradual vision loss (Mayo Foundation, 2012). The term ‘open- angled’ means light rays are being diffracted up and out like they are opening up (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). In a normal functioning eye, there is a drain that will allow excess aqueous humor to leave the eye (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). In a person with glaucoma, this part of the eye is clogged, not allowing the fluid to leave (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). This leads to a buildup of excess fluid that can damage the optic nerve and cause the glaucoma (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). There are no immediate noticeable symptoms that alert a person to a possible glaucoma developing (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). There are very little noticeable sight loss and hard to detect, until it is too late (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012) .Treatments for this type of glaucoma depend on the amount of aqueous humor liquid toward the optic nerve (WebMD, 2005). The most common is eye drops, or pills, or a liquid by mouth the most severe cases inject these medications it into the veins directly (WebMD, 2005). Increased risk of this type of glaucoma depends on many set of factors, these include race, family history, age, and if a person is or tests positive for diabetes (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). African Americans and Latinos are at a higher risk of contracting it (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012). People who are diabetic either type 1 or type to have a greater chance of having it. Generally, people who are 40 years old and up have more of a risk of having this disease (WebMD, 2005). It is very uncommon for young people to get glaucoma. Finally, if someone in their direct lineage has had it such as parents or siblings, their chances are higher in getting this form of glaucoma (Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2012).

Also called acute or chronic angle-closure or narrow-angle glaucoma, this type of glaucoma is less common but can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in the eye. This type of glaucoma occurs suddenly, when the colored portion of your eye (iris) is pushed or pulled forward (Heiting). This causes blockage of the drainage angel, which helps drain the aqueous humor in the eye where the trabecular meshwork, which allows the fluids to flow out (Heiting). (Aqueous humor is located between the cornea and the iris. Trabecular meshwork is the area of tissue in the eye that is located around the base of the cornea). When the eye’s internal structures are blocked in this way, the internal pressure of the eye, called the intraocular pressure (IOP), may spike and most likely damage the optic nerve that transmits images from the eye to the brain (Heiting).

People that get Glaucoma are most often adults over the age of forty (Rumelt). As we grow older, the lens inside our eyes gets larger which can lead to the risk for pupil block (Rumelt). Race is another factor; Asians tend to have this more due to the fact that they have anatomically