Glaucoma 1 - introduction Flashcards
What is glaucoma’s?
Group of ocular conditions that produces a characteristic of optic neuropathy
What are two way glaucoma is classified?
Primary - not associated with any other ocular disorders
Secondary- the increased IOPs are due to another condition
What percentage of glaucoma’s are primary?
95%
What is an example of secondary glaucoma?
Steroid induced glaucoma
What are the three classifications of primary glaucoma?
Open angle, closed angle, congential
What % of primary glaucoma is open?
85%
Which is easier to detect POAG or PCAG?
PCAG
What is the mechanism for open angle glaucoma?
Mechanism is unknown
possibility include:
Chronic injury to axons of the retinal ganglion cells and other optic nerve tissues mainly at the OD and lamina cribrosa causes IOPs to raise above average levels
What is the mechanical pathogenesis of the glaucomatous optic disc?
Axon damage within the optic nerve is caused by pressure induced deformation of the lamina cribrosa causing retinal ganglion cell death
What is the vasogenic pathogenesis of the glaucomatous optic disc?
The quality of blood supply to the optic nerve head is impaired which leads to hypoxia and reduced nutrient to the ONH —> retinal ganglion cell death.
What is meant by characteristic but not diagnostic visual field defects?
The typical VF defect is a arcuate shape, which take the path of the retinal ganglion cells. There is a nasal step as well
*glaucoma is not only disease that causes this- NOT DIAGNOISTIC
Why is central 20-30 so important, for early open angle glaucoma?
Because Glaucoma will first effect the 20 -30 degrees on the VF at tis earliest stage
And the px will not be able to notice, as no symptoms
What are the important risk factors for OAG?
1.Age
2.IOP (huge RF)
3.Race
4.FH
5.Myopia
6.Genetics
What increases with the prevalence of OAG?
Increased IOPs, increased VF loss
If IOPs are reduced with someone with OAG, what happens?
Optic nerve head damage risk reduced (IOPs should be reduced to the target pressure)
According to NICE guidelines what is the prevalence of OAG in over 40s?
2%
According to NICE guidelines what is the prevalence of OAG in over 75s?
10%
What is normal tension glaucoma (three situations where this is apparent)?
- A glaucomatous optic neuropathy but IOP never exceeds 21mmHG
- A glaucomatous optic neuropathy with mean IOP over a 24hr period of <21mmHg & peak pressure of <24mmHG
- chronic OAG where IOP is rarely above 21mmHg (NICE Definition)