Glaucoma

Topic Overview

Glaucoma
A group of disorders characterized by progressive damage to the eye at least partly due to intraocular pressure.

Normal intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges between 11 and 21 mm Hg; however, this level may not necessarily be healthy for all people. Some people with normal pressure develop optic nerve injury (normal- or low-pressure glaucoma). In contrast, many patients have pressure >21 mm Hg without any optic nerve injury (ocular hypertension).

Glaucoma usually affects side (peripheral) vision first. If glaucoma is not treated, the person continues to lose vision until total blindness develops. If glaucoma is identified early and treated appropriately, good eyesight can usually be maintained.

Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma in the United States, usually affects both eyes at the same time. However, one eye may be affected more than the other. In open-angle glaucoma, the vision changes so slowly that much of the person's eyesight may be affected before the condition is noticed.

* Increased pressure and other factors gradually damage the optic nerve.
* The outer and inner sides of vision (peripheral vision) are affected first. These blind spots gradually meet, increasing the area of blindness. Central vision--used for reading and seeing details--is affected last.
* If untreated, open-angle glaucoma affects central vision, leading to permanent total blindness.

What is a Trabeculectomy?
This operation is performed to treat glaucoma (high pressure in the eyes). The operation entails forming a small channel through the white part of the eye under your upper eyelid. This channel will allow the fluid made naturally in the eye to drain away more easily into a small pocket.