Classifications, screening and genetics of the glaucomas (Dave Edgar) Flashcards
what is the definitions of the glaucomas
Glaucoma (or more correctly but less conveniently “the glaucomas”) is the name given to a group of ocular conditions that produce a characteristic optic neuropathy
glaucomas - a group of ocular conditions which give the same end point
optic neuropathy - pale optic disc with increased cup to disc ratio and loss of NRR
what 2 categories are the glaucomas classified into
- primary - the condition is not associated with any other ocular disorder
- secondary - an increase in IOP occurs
secondary to another ocular or non-ocular disorder e.g. steroid induced glaucoma
which type of glaucoma is usually recognised quite early on
secondary recognised earlier than primary
list the 3 types of primary glaucomas and how much each accounts for in primary glaucomas
- Primary angle closure glaucoma
About 15% of the primary glaucomas in UK - Primary (or Chronic) open angle glaucoma (POAG or COAG)
About 85% of the primary glaucomas in UK
Congenital glaucoma
what is unknown about Primary (or Chronic) open angle glaucoma
Mechanism for the disease
what is the possible definition for Primary (or Chronic) open angle glaucoma and what is a very important risk factor
A form of chronic injury to axons of the retinal ganglion cells and other optic nerve tissues, mainly at the level of the optic disc and lamina cribrosa, frequently associated with characteristic, but not diagnostic, visual field defects
IOP, which is often raised above average levels, is a very important risk factor
what are the 2 main theories on the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in open angle glaucoma and describe what happens in each one
- Mechanical (or IOP mediated)
Axon damage within the optic nerve head is caused by pressure-induced deformation of the lamina cribrosa - Vasogenic (or vascular)
The quality of blood supply to the ONH is impaired which leads to hypoxia and reduced nutrition to ONH, and then to axon death
what happens to the lamina cribrosa in the mechanical theory on the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in open angle glaucoma
the bending and bowing of the plates causing deformation of the lamina cribrosa
describe the appearance of a typical visual field defect defect in moderate open angle glaucoma and explain why it is characteristic but not diagnostic of glaucoma
- Classic arcuate shape with sharp cut off on horizontal nasal quadrant called nasal step
- can get the same in other defects e.g. multiple sclerosis or congenital nerve defect
in POAG, which area of the visual field is affected and which vf test is best to pick up on early signs
- central 24 degrees is affected
- central 24-2 is the vf test used because most diseases affects the optic nerve and central vf
list the 8 risk factors of POAG, starting from highest to lowest
POAG is multifactorial. Risk factors include: Age++++ IOP+++ Race++ Family history+ Myopia+ Genetics+ Corneal thickness Smoking?
give 3 points as to how IOP and POAG are linked
- Prevalence of POAG increases as IOP increases
- Risk of subsequent field loss increases with increasing IOP
- Significant reductions in IOP reduce the risk of subsequent nerve damage
what is the aim of anti glaucoma drugs
to aim for a target IOP that will cause no further damage
when ophthalmologists decide to treat glaucoma, they look at the patient’s pressures on diagnosis, which is based on individual factors relating to the px, the ophthalmologist will then decide on a target pressure, to stop progression of the disease or to minimise/slow down the progression of the disease
what is the prevalence of POAG as stated by Beaver Dam and Roscommon and what did both studies’ results have in common about the patients
Beaver Dam 2.1%
Roscommon 1.87%
both in over 40’s in rural caucasian populations
what is the prevalence of POAG in the black and white population by Baltimore
blacks 4.18%
whites 1.29%
from people in inner city populations
