GLAUCOMA IN BOULDER: DEFINITION AND CAUSESGLAUCOMA IN BOULDER: DEFINITION AND CAUSES

Glaucoma is a condition that is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, particularly in older adults.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that destroy the optic nerve which plays a vital role in good vision. The optic nerve’s function is to transfer images from the light sensing tissue called the retina, to the brain, allowing us to see.

Glaucoma can occur at any age but is generally more common in older people. Those with glaucoma in Boulder suffer with abnormally high pressure in the eye which damages the optic nerve. When several nerve fibers are damaged, there is development of blind spots in the field of vision. Vision loss caused by glaucoma cannot be recovered and is therefore permanent.  Unfortunately, these blind areas go unnoticed until the majority of the optic nerve has been damaged. Blindness occurs once the whole nerve is damaged.

Causes of Glaucoma

In order to understand the causes of glaucoma, one has to understand the basics of the human eye anatomy and the movement of intraocular fluid through the eye.

·         The circular, small structure located behind the iris is called the ciliary body and it is responsible for producing the clear liquid found inside the eye.

·         This fluid is known as the aqueous humor, and plays two roles: exerting the pressure that helps maintain eye shape, and nourishing the area behind the cornea and around the colored iris.

·         The aqueous flows behind the iris, along the pupil, fills the space between the front of the iris and the back of the clear cornea and then exits between the iris and peripheral cornea.

·         Disruption in this flow of aqueous can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure.

Although high intraocular pressure is often associated with glaucoma, glaucoma can also occur with the press is normal. Those with normal-tension glaucoma simply have very pressure-sensitive nerves and are vulnerable to permanent damage from otherwise ‘normal’ IOP.

On the opposite side of the scale, some people with high IOP may never develop glaucoma.

The process of glaucoma is irreversible. The best way to diagnose patients who may have glaucoma Boulder is to examine the damage done to the optic nerve.

Early detection is critical in stopping the progress of glaucoma. It should also be noted that there is no way to prevent glaucoma. It is recommended that eye checks be done routinely. General personal eye care practices can help, and advice from a doctor is always a good place to start. Before treatment can be done, the eye doctor has to first establish the cause of the glaucoma. This will enable the doctor to determine the best treatment option. Lowering eye pressure can help prevent further damage to the optic nerve so that the patient does not lose their vision.

A strict treatment plan and regular eye exams can also help prevent blindness in those with living with glaucoma.