What is Glaucoma?
For normal eye function, our eyes produce a fluid called aqueous
humor, which provides nutrition for the eye.
This fluid is produced and then drained from the eye through
tubes.
When there is more fluid produced then that which drains, fluid
pressure builds up in the eye. This condition is known as glaucoma.
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve cells in the back of the
eye which have died. This may be due partly to pressure inside the
eye exerted by the excess fluid which is too high for the nerve cells in
that particular eye to tolerate. The optic nerve cells transform light
entering the eye into electrical impulses, which are then understood by the
brain. When too many of these cells die, vision may be lost.
“Glaucoma” encompasses many conditions under its definition. There
are different types of glaucoma which progress very quickly while others
may show only minor signs of loss over many years. Some types of glaucoma
affect both eyes, whereas other types affect only one eye. Further,
some types of glaucoma are very strongly hereditary, while others have no
link to familial tendencies.
Most important, if untreated, glaucoma can damage sight. A
thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist is the best way to detect
and treat this blinding disease.
Your glaucoma specialist will be the best person to monitor your
condition and tell you what you might expect. Remember, without
diagnosis and treatment, glaucoma can lead to total loss of sight.
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Quick Links
Click the links below to learn more about some of the conditions
Green Bay Eye Clinic physicians specialize in.
Cataracts
Blepharoplasty
Glaucoma
Extraocular Muscles
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Retinal Detachment
Ocular Histoplasmosis
If there is a condition not listed here that you would like
to be consulted about, contact us. |
