Glaucoma is a progressive form of optic neuropathy that is characterised by structural changes to the optic nerve head (ONH) and corresponding patterns of functional visual field (VF) loss. It is a major cause of irreversible blindness in the world.
Currently, the pathogenesis responsible for glaucoma is not well understood. It has been suggested that local ischemia or mechanical damage from a raised intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss may have a role in its aetiology. The treatment for glaucoma aims to reduce IOP through therapeutic or surgical means to reduce glaucomatous progression. The first line of treatment involves topical therapy such as eye drops. There are many classes of anti-glaucoma drops with prostaglandin analogues being the most potent ocular hypotensive with a good safety profile.
Before initiating treatment, it is important to consider factors such as the risk of progression and the patient’s suitability to the particular therapy chosen. Once treatment has been initiated, patients must be reviewed regularly to assess the efficacy of the treatment, monitor for adverse reactions, confirm compliance, and to identify signs of progression.
Glaucoma is a form of progressive optic neuropathy that has clinically visible structural damage at the ONH and RNFL that correlates to a functional VF deficit1-4. These glaucomatous structural changes include thinning or notching of the NRR, bayonetting of vessels, loss of RNFL,
as the common name implies-- lead to irreversible blindness. Study of the disease has shown that
Macular Degeneration is a disease of the eye that gradually causes loss of a person’s central vision. Approximately 1.75 million Americans suffer from vision loss associated with the disease (All About Vision 1). The leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60, Macular Degeneration, exists in two types (National Eye Institute 1). Both the wet and dry versions of the disease have similarities in risk factors, but differ in symptoms and treatments.
A patient complaining of blurred vision, rainbow-colored circles around bright lights, eye and head pain accompanied by nausea, and sudden loss of vision (GRF, 2012) can all signal glaucoma, so educating patients to get treatment as early as possible to avoid further damage is imperative. When working with patients diagnosed with glaucoma it is crucial for a PTA to keep in mind that balance can be an issue because of impaired vision so keeping them safe from falls during exercise is vital, and it may be necessary to use tactile cues in addition to verbal
Glaucoma is caused when fluid is overproduced and it can't flow out at its normal rate which causes pressure to build up.
How does the progression of optic nerve and RGC damage translate to the clinical symptoms of glaucoma? In a study published by Harwerth and Quigley in 2006, the structure-function relationships of human glaucoma and experimental glaucoma in monkeys are compared, in order to discern a possible correlation between the progressive loss of visual field experienced by glaucoma patients and the gradual neural losses. Previous studies had suggested a large amount of variance between the well-defined relationship of experimental glaucoma and the slightly different system of clinical glaucoma, but the discrepancies could have equally resulted from different methods of data analysis, which would affect the precision of the results. The study compared
Macular Degeneration is a disease that affects the retina of the eye. The retina is a layer in the back of the eye that helps us to see. It is also the lining of the eye that helps us respond to light. However, when having macular degeneration there are major changes in a person's central vision. The disease causes central images to appear blurred and then dark spots may begin to appear that get larger and larger. It may also be very hard to see straight lines as Macular Degeneration may cause them to be curved. When having this disease color may appear to be darker and less vivid than normal.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve in the eye and can cause
Glaucoma is several conditions of the eye that damage the optic nerve, which is vital to perfect vision. This damage is caused due to an abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It can happen at any age but is most common in older adults. If you lose your vision due to glaucoma, it is not possible to gain it back. It is important to get regular eye appointments because if glaucoma is caught early, the loss of vision can be slowed or prevented. There are two types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma. The symptoms for these two are very different. Open-angle glaucoma symptoms include patchy blind spots in your central or side vision,
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve because of extra fluid increasing pressure in the eye (Boyd). It is also the leading cause of blindness if left untreated in people over sixty Boyd states. Varieties of options are available for treatment regarding glaucoma and all are intended to lower the blood pressure and protect optic nerve (Radhakrishan and Iwach). Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, pills, and surgery or a combination of these methods. (“Treating Glaucoma”). Right now eye drops are the first choice of treatment because they lower eye pressure, helping fluid drain better or decreasing fluid made by the eye (Radhakrishan and Iwach). As is states in the article “Treating Glaucoma” when eye drops cannot control the glaucoma,
As humans, we don't always see with our eyes, but often with our imagination (Grunwald, 2016). Often times as people we never realize how useful our vision really is to us. You really don't think about something like that until it would actual happen to you. Throughout this essay, you will learn how the body is affected by Macular Degeneration (MD). Different signs and symptoms, as well as the etiology of MD, will be discussed. In the following, diagnosis tests and treatments may also be listed in order to help others who would like to know more about MD. Not to mention, you will learn the incidence and progression of MD. Furthermore, information though agencies and associations, as well as new research about MD will be given.
A common misconception is that glaucoma is a singular disease, in fact, it is a collaboration of many diseases in the eyes that cause glaucoma. these diseases can often lead to loss of vision but, if caught early, glaucoma, or the smaller diseases which lead to it, can be treated. Like many other diseases, if caught early, the lasting effects will lessen.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy, T.O.N, is the direct or indirect injury to the optic nerve or optic canal secondary to trauma. Patients who present with T.O.N may have partial or complete vision loss. Due to little understanding, there is no prevention and no cure for T.O.N; or laboratory models to study this condition. Most common causes are motor vehicle accidents, falls, bike accidents, and assault. Though observation is the main treatment option, systemic corticosteroids and surgical optic nerve decompression is available .
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness globally and in the U.S. adults younger than age 60. It is more common in individual with type 2 diabetes compared to those with type 1 due to long-standing hyperglycemia before diagnosis. Most people with diabetes eventually develops some degree of retinopathy and they are more likely to develop cataracts and glaucoma. The prevalence and severity of retinopathy are strongly related to individual’s age, the duration of diabetes, and the extent of glycemic control. Three stages of the retinopathy leads to vision loss; stage I – non-proliferative is characterized by thickening of the retinal capillary basement membrane and increased retinal capillary permeability, vein dilation, micro-aneurysm formation, and hemorrhages. Stage II – pre-proliferative there is progression of retinal ischemia with areas of inadequate perfusion that result in infarcts. Stage III – proliferative involves neovascularization (angiogenesis) and fibrous tissue formation within
is a disease that causes optic nerve damage resulting in the gradual loss of sight. Currently, it is estimated more than 3 million
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that cause blindness by hurting the optic nerve, which is the large nerve that is responsible for vision. In glaucoma, the optic nerve damage is related to a change in the fluid pressure that circulates around the eyeball. In many cases, Glaucoma occurs when the eye's fluid pressure is high, but it can also occur when the pressure is measured as normal.