pathophysiology of glaucoma
Pathophysiology of Glaucoma – Glaucoma is “a disease of the eye in which fluid pressure within the eye rises - if left untreated the patient may lose vision, and even become blind. The disease generally affects both eyes,” Medical News Today (2012). The anterior chamber is a small space located in front of the eye. Clear fluid (aqueous humor) flows in and out of this chamber, as the fluid flows it nourishes and bathes nearby tissues. Persons who suffer from glaucoma have problem with this fluid. It does not drain properly out of the eye. At times it may drain too slowly and this causes the fluid to accumulate in the eye. When the fluid builds up it causes the eye pressure to rise. The pathophysiology of glaucoma occurs when there is an increase in pressure in the intraocular area. A permanent raise in intraocular pressure of 21 mmHg and over would trigger the onset of glaucoma. When this pressure rises, it presses on and causes harm to the optic nerve. Any damage to the optic nerve would prevent visual information from being sent to the brain and therefore visual loss occurs. The exact pathophysiology of glaucoma is not fully comprehended but experts believe that the rise in pressure on the retina causes cells and nerve ganglions in the retina to die. Moreover, compression of small blood vessels occur in the retina and this deprives it from its nutrients. This contributes to loss of peripheral visual field and eventually the person may become blind.
Etiology of Glaucoma - A gland behind the upper eyelid fills the anterior chamber with a clear fluid. This clear fluid is called the aqueous humor and it supplies the eye with oxygen and nutrients. This assists with inflation of the eyes. A steady production of the liquid drains through a mesh of tiny holes behind the lower eyelid. In glaucoma, the liquid is produced normally but the trabecular meshwork cannot drain it due to clogging or some other reason. Liquid pressure builds up in the eye, pressing
Etiology of Glaucoma - A gland behind the upper eyelid fills the anterior chamber with a clear fluid. This clear fluid is called the aqueous humor and it supplies the eye with oxygen and nutrients. This assists with inflation of the eyes. A steady production of the liquid drains through a mesh of tiny holes behind the lower eyelid. In glaucoma, the liquid is produced normally but the trabecular meshwork cannot drain it due to clogging or some other reason. Liquid pressure builds up in the eye, pressing
Bibliography: 1. http://www.webmd.boots.com/eye-health/guide/normal-tension-glaucoma 2. http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/primary-congenital-glaucoma 3. Rieck, J. (01/03/13). "The Pathogenesis of Glaucoma in the Interplay with the Immune System". Retrieved on 25/01/14 from http://www.iovs.org/content/54/3/2393.full 4. Mandal, A. "Glaucoma Pathophysiology". Retrieved on 25/01/14 from http://www.news-medical.net/health/Glaucoma-Pathophysiology.aspx 5. (14/02/12). "What Is Glaucoma? What Causes Glaucoma?" Retrieved on 25/01/14 from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9710.php 6.http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=64&channel_id=2049&relation_id=37823 7. Sample, A., P., Schuman, S., J., Sharma, P., Zangwill, M., L. (01/09/09). "Diagnostic Tools for Glaucoma Detection and Management". Retrieved on 08/02/14 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2643302/ 8. Bedinghaus, T. (15/06/10). "Six Tests for Glaucoma". Retrieved on 08/02/14 from http://vision.about.com/od/glaucoma/tp/testsforglaucoma.htm