Glaucoma

Question 1

What is glaucoma?

Answer 1

Neurodegenerative condition caused by dysfunction in outflow of aqueous humour. Optic neuropathy occurs due to raised ocular pressure.

Question 2

How does glaucoma present?

Answer 2

Often asymptomatic

Loss of peripheral vision

Question 3

What are some types of primary glaucoma?

Answer 3

Chronic open angle

Acute and chronic closed angle

Question 4

What are some types of congenital glaucoma?

Answer 4

Rubella

Aniridia

Question 5

What are some causes of secondary glaucoma?

Answer 5

Trauma
Ocular surgery
Uveitis 
Raised episcleral venous pressure
Steroids

Question 6

What increases the risk of open angle glaucoma?

Answer 6

Black ethnicity
Age over 50
Family history
IOP >23mmHg

Question 7

What investigations should be done for glaucoma?

Answer 7

Fundoscopy - enlarged cup
Visual fields
Goldmann tonometry
Gonioscopy - to see chamber angle

Question 8

How is open angle glaucoma treated?

Answer 8

Pressure lowering eye drops
Prostaglandin analogues - Latanoprost
B-blockers - timolol
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors - brinzolamide

Question 9

How may closed angle glaucoma present?

Answer 9

Blurring of vision
Painful red eye
Headache
Nausea 
Vomiting

Question 10

What increases the risk of closed angle glaucoma?

Answer 10

Hyperopia 
Female
Other eye previously affected
Inuit and asian ethnicity 
Shallow peripheral anterior chamber