Glaucoma Flashcards
What causes glaucoma?
Obstruction of the drainage of aqueous humor which causes increased intraocular pressure (in most cases)
Describe the normal flow of aqueous humor
Fluid produced from the ciliary bodies flows from posterior chamber to the anterior chamber and then into the Canal of Schlemm
What is congenital glaucoma?
Obstruction to aqueous humor drainage by developmental anomalies
What are the clinical findings of congenital glaucoma?
Photophobia and bulophthalmos
What are the subdivisions of adult-onset primary glaucoma?
Open-angle and closed-angle
Describe open-angle glaucoma
The angle of the anterior chamber is normal, but there is resistance to the outflow of the aqueous humor into the Canal of Schlemm
Describe primary closed-angle glaucoma
When the pupil dilates, flow of aqueous humor is blocked raising intraocular pressure
What can repeated attacks of primary closed-angle glaucoma cause?
Peripheral anterior synechiae and secondary glaucoma
What is Low-Tension glaucoma?
Characteristic visual-field defects/and all of ophthalmoscopic features of chronic open-angle glaucoma WITHOUT increased intraocular pressure
What is a common finding in secondary glaucoma?
Secondary glaucoma tends to be unilateral
What are potential complications of increased intraocular pressure?
Glaucomatous cupping and nasal displacement of retinal blood vessels, Corneal/scleral bulging, optic atrophy, vision impairment, bulophthalmos (in younger patients)
