Glaucoma

Glaucoma
Acute angle closure glaucoma of a person's right eye (shown at left). Note the mid-sized pupil, which is non-reactive to light, and redness of the white part of the eye.
SpecialtyOphthalmology, optometry
Symptoms
[1][2]
Usual onsetGradual, or sudden[2]
Risk factorsIncreased pressure in the eye, family history, high blood pressure[1]
Diagnostic methodDilated eye examination[1]
Differential diagnosisUveitis, trauma, keratitis, conjunctivitis[3]
TreatmentMedication, laser, surgery[1]
Frequency6–67 million[2][4]

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to damage of the optic nerve. The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma may cause vision loss if left untreated. It has been called the "silent thief of sight" because the loss of vision usually occurs slowly over a long period of time.[5] A major risk factor for glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).[1] It is associated with old age, a family history of glaucoma, and certain medical conditions or the use of some medications.[6] The word glaucoma comes from the Ancient Greek word γλαυκός (glaukós), meaning 'gleaming, blue-green, gray'.

There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common are called open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.[7] Inside the eye, a liquid called aqueous humor helps to maintain shape and provides nutrients. The aqueous humor normally drains through the trabecular meshwork. In open-angle glaucoma, the draining is impeded, causing the liquid to accumulate and pressure inside the eye to increase. This elevated pressure can damage the optic nerve. In closed-angle glaucoma, the drainage of the eye becomes suddenly blocked, leading to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. This may lead to intense eye pain, blurred vision, and nausea. Closed-angle glaucoma is an emergency requiring immediate attention.[1]

If treated early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of glaucoma. Regular eye examinations, especially if the person is over 40 or has a family history of glaucoma, are essential for early detection.[8] Treatment typically includes prescription of eye drops, medication, laser treatment or surgery.[1][9] The goal of these treatments is to decrease eye pressure.[2]

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in African Americans, Hispanic Americans,[10][11] and Asians.[12] It occurs more commonly among older people,[1] and closed-angle glaucoma is more common in women.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Facts About Glaucoma". National Eye Institute. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Mantravadi AV, Vadhar N (September 2015). "Glaucoma". Primary Care. 42 (3): 437–449. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.05.008. PMID 26319348.
  3. ^ Ferri FF (2010). Ferri's differential diagnosis : a practical guide to the differential diagnosis of symptoms, signs, and clinical disorders (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Mosby. p. Chapter G. ISBN 978-0-323-07699-9.
  4. ^ Vos T, Allen C, Arora M, et al. (October 2016). "Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015". Lancet. 388 (10053): 1545–1602. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31678-6. PMC 5055577. PMID 27733282.
  5. ^ "Glaucoma: The 'silent thief' begins to tell its secrets" (Press release). National Eye Institute. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Glaucoma: The 'silent thief' begins to tell its secrets | National Eye Institute". www.nei.nih.gov. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Glaucoma: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Glaucoma - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  9. ^ Vass C, Hirn C, Sycha T, Findl O, Bauer P, Schmetterer L (October 2007). "Medical interventions for primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007 (4): CD003167. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003167.pub3. PMC 6768994. PMID 17943780.
  10. ^ Ou Y. "Glaucoma in the African American and Hispanic Communities". Bright Focus Foundation. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Glaucoma in the African-American and Latino Communities: Studies Release More Data". American Academy of Ophthalmology. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  12. ^ Belamkar A, Harris A, Oddone F, Verticchio Vercellin A, Fabczak-Kubicka A, Siesky B (28 April 2022). "Asian Race and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: Where Do We Stand?". Journal of Clinical Medicine. 11 (9): 2486. doi:10.3390/jcm11092486. ISSN 2077-0383. PMC 9099679. PMID 35566612.