Glaucoma
Community Eye Center
Feb 08, 2021
Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties
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The eye can be compared to a camera. The eye lens is found behind the iris and the pupil. The lens focuses the light back toward the retina and the image is recorded there. Once the image is recorded, the image information is sent to the brain through the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain in the same way that a computer cable connects a digital camera to a computer to transfer images. If a person has glaucoma, the lens and retina operate normally; however, the optic nerve does not and images are not properly transferred to the brain.
It is estimated that almost 3 million people in the US, over the age of 40, are affected by glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness, accounting for around 10% of all cases of blindness in the US. Glaucoma is a progressive disease and is incurable. This condition can cause irreversible blindness. Early detection and treatment are the best defense against permanent vision loss due to glaucoma.
Glaucoma can happen slowly; sometimes people are not aware that they have it until a significant amount of vision loss. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma and there may be no warning symptoms. Early detection and watchful, lifelong treatment can preserve vision in most people affected by glaucoma.
In the healthy eye, fluid called aqueous humor is made in the front of the eye and flows out through a tiny drain called the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork is located in an area called the drainage angle. If fluid does not flow out of the drainage angle properly, eye pressure increases and damages the optic nerve. Closed Angle Glaucoma. If the drainage angle is too narrow for fluid to flow out of the eye properly, pressure increases. Eventually the pathway for fluid to flow out of they eye may become completely blocked.
Article Submitted & Written By: Community Eye Center- Click for more information*
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