|
|
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition whereby the optic nerve cells, which transmit information from the eye to the brain, become damaged. The eye is a fluid filled structure. The fluid filling the eye gives the eye its normal shape. Without the normal amount of fluid, the eye would collapse like a balloon without air. There are mechanisms in the body that act to regulate the normal fluid pressure. When these mechanisms break down, the end result is glaucoma. The best analogy for understanding this delicate balance is that of a bathtub with the water faucet constantly running and the drain open. As long as the faucet flows at the correct rate with the drain open, the water level in the tub stays the same. If either the faucet flow is too fast, or the drain becomes blocked, the water level in the tub rises. People who suffer from glaucoma have increased intra-ocular pressure as a direct result of one of these two basic mechanisms. The increased pressure in the eye acts like a boa constrictor to squeeze the optic nerve, which enters the globe from behind. This constriction on the sensitive nerve fibers pinches off the blood supply to the nerve, which causes a type of slow strangulation death of the optic nerve. Since the pressure typically ebbs and flows, this nerve cell death occurs over an extended period of time. The death of the nerve cell fibers prevents the transmission of visual information from the retina in the eye to the brain. Since the majority of those afflicted are not symptomatic, glaucoma is known as "the silent thief of sight". Often you will not be aware that you have glaucoma until it's too late. Usually there are no symptoms until permanent visual field defects occur. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. Although they see things clearly in front of them, they miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. Without treatment, glaucoma symptoms progress and people with the condition may find that they suddenly have no side vision. It may seem as though they are looking through a tunnel. Over time, the remaining forward vision may decrease until the central vision is "snuffed out" in the end stages. Treatment of the disease revolves around maintaining and controlling the normal fluid pressure in the eye.
|
