Pathophysiology of open-angle glaucoma -POAG

Question 1

Causes elevated IOP

- obstruction aq humour outflow

Answer 1

• increase in outflow resistance in trabecular meshwork

Question 2

How does glaucomatous optic neuropathy also occur?

Answer 2

• indepedently - increased IOP

Question 3

What are the pressure indepedent causes of optic neuopathy?

Answer 3

• abnormal ocular perfusion
• oxidative stress
• inflammation

Question 4

What cells lead to detrimental changes due to elevated IOP?

Answer 4

• glical cells
• lamina cribrosa
• retinal ganglion cells

Question 5

What can increase in IOP lead to?

Answer 5

• alterations in retinal VF + axonal transport neurotrophic factors = cellular stress of retinal ganglion cells –> activates glial cells = inappropriate remodelling extracellular matrix
• -> deforms lamina cribrosa –> mechanical stress on retinal ganglion cells

Question 6

What is chronic elevation of IOP?

Answer 6

• retinal ganglion cells undergo apoptosis