Glaucoma

Glaucoma

  • A group of disorders characterized by
    • Increased IOP and consequences of elevated pressure
    • Optic nerve atrophy
    • Peripheral visual field loss
  • Second leading cause of blindness in U.S.
  • Leading cause of blindness in African Americans
    • Many are unaware
    • Incidence increases with age
    • Preventable
    • Genetic traits

Etiology and pathophysiology

  • Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)
    • Most common type of glaucoma
    • Outflow of aqueous humor is ↓ in trabecular meshwork
    • Develops slowly
    • No symptoms
    • Unnoticed until peripheral vision is severely compromised
  • Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG)
    • Angle closure ↓ the flow of aqueous humor
    • Caused by age, pupil dilation
    • Possibly drug induced

Clinical manifestation

  • PACG
    • Sudden onset
      • Excruciating pain in or around eyes
      • Nausea and vomiting
      • Seeing colored halos around lights
      • Blurred vision
      • Ocular redness
    • IOP elevated in glaucoma
      • Normal IOP 10 to 21 mm Hg
      • Open-angle glaucoma 22 to 32 mm Hg
      • Acute angle-closure glaucoma >50 mm Hg

Interprofessional Care

  • Acute angle-closure glaucoma
    • Miotics
      • Decreased visual acuity in dim light
    • Oral/IV hyperosmotic
    • Laser peripheral iridotomy
    • Surgical iridectomy

Share:

More Posts

Shoulder Dislocations Overview

Rachel Abrams; Halleh Akbarnia. Author Information and Affiliations Last Update: August 8, 2023. Go to: Continuing Education Activity Shoulder dislocations represent 50 percent of all

About High Blood Pressure

For Everyone JANUARY 28, 2025 About High Blood Pressure KEY POINTS High blood pressure (hypertension) is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg. High blood

Childhood asthma and exercise

Daniel Hughes ✉ Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMCID: PMC4235445  PMID: 25414580 Children with asthma, similar to most children, enjoy being physically active,