Glaucoma
| Definition: |
An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) |
| Notes: |
pathol increase in intraocular pressure: differentiate from OCULAR HYPERTENSION ("intraocular pressure above normal & which may lead to glaucoma"); /surg: consider also FILTERING SURGERY or SCLEROSTOMY or TRABECULECTOMY |
Glaucoma Categories.
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Glaucoma, Angle-Closure - A form of glaucoma in which the intraocular pressure increases because the angle of the anterior chamber is blocked and the aqueous humor cannot drain from the anterior chamber. |
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Glaucoma, Neovascular - A form of secondary glaucoma which develops as a consequence of another ocular disease and is attributed to the forming of new vessels in the angle of the anterior chamber. |
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Glaucoma, Open-Angle - Glaucoma in which the angle of the anterior chamber is open and the trabecular meshwork does not encroach on the base of the iris. |
Glaucoma Definitions and Terms
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