The Use of ERGs for Early Glaucoma Detection :: Medicine Medical Medicinal Essays

The Use of ERGs for Early Glaucoma Detection Glaucoma is a degenerative disease which can be caused by high intraocular pressure (IOP) (Glaucoma, 2002). This IOP arises in the aqueous humor, the area between the cornea and the iris, where a drainage system allows the aqueous to drain from this area and recycle (Learn about Glaucoma, 2002). A specific balance of the production and removal of aqueous determines the IOP. Either malfunction or malformation of this drainage system can cause a rise in pressure. The elevated pressure causes irrevocable damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers as well as damage to the other areas of the visual system, which leads to a gradual and permanent loss of vision if not treated (Glaucoma, 2002). Damage to the optic nerve causes loss of vision because this nerve, or group of ganglion axons, is responsible for transporting images to the brain from the eye. While there are other possible causes of glaucoma, such as variations of the myocilin gene, IOP is thought to be the main cause (Learn abo ut Glaucoma, 2002). Treatment, especially with early detection, can slow or cease continued damage. Types of Glaucoma There are several types of glaucoma, the most prominent types being Open Angle, and Acute Angle Closure and the more infrequent types including Secondary Glaucoma, Congenital Glaucoma, Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG), and Pigmentary Glaucoma. Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG), the most prevalent form of glaucoma (Glaucoma, 2002), is painless, and can go unnoticed without the help of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Obstructed drainage channels, which develop over a period of time, characterize this type of glaucoma. These obstructions are not present at the openings of the channels, rather they occur inside the channels. The aqueous cannot recycle because of these obstructed channels, the IOP rises, and damage results (Learn about Glaucoma, 2002). Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma, however, is much more painful and results in rapid vision loss. In this case, the iris and cornea are not wide enough apart which can cause the edge of the iris to block the drainage channels (Learn about Glaucoma; and Glaucoma, 2002). Secondary Glaucoma results from other eye diseases or problems, such as diabetes, trauma, and tumors . Congenital Glaucoma is a rare glaucoma found in infants (Glaucoma, 2002). Normal Tension Glaucoma occurs in those with normal IOP’s but have damage to the optic nerve. Pigmentary Glaucoma results from parts of the pigment in the iris breaking off and slowly clogging the drainage channels. The Use of ERGs for Early Glaucoma Detection :: Medicine Medical Medicinal Essays The Use of ERGs for Early Glaucoma Detection Glaucoma is a degenerative disease which can be caused by high intraocular pressure (IOP) (Glaucoma, 2002). This IOP arises in the aqueous humor, the area between the cornea and the iris, where a drainage system allows the aqueous to drain from this area and recycle (Learn about Glaucoma, 2002). A specific balance of the production and removal of aqueous determines the IOP. Either malfunction or malformation of this drainage system can cause a rise in pressure. The elevated pressure causes irrevocable damage to the optic nerve and retinal fibers as well as damage to the other areas of the visual system, which leads to a gradual and permanent loss of vision if not treated (Glaucoma, 2002). Damage to the optic nerve causes loss of vision because this nerve, or group of ganglion axons, is responsible for transporting images to the brain from the eye. While there are other possible causes of glaucoma, such as variations of the myocilin gene, IOP is thought to be the main cause (Learn abo ut Glaucoma, 2002). Treatment, especially with early detection, can slow or cease continued damage. Types of Glaucoma There are several types of glaucoma, the most prominent types being Open Angle, and Acute Angle Closure and the more infrequent types including Secondary Glaucoma, Congenital Glaucoma, Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG), and Pigmentary Glaucoma. Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG), the most prevalent form of glaucoma (Glaucoma, 2002), is painless, and can go unnoticed without the help of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Obstructed drainage channels, which develop over a period of time, characterize this type of glaucoma. These obstructions are not present at the openings of the channels, rather they occur inside the channels. The aqueous cannot recycle because of these obstructed channels, the IOP rises, and damage results (Learn about Glaucoma, 2002). Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma, however, is much more painful and results in rapid vision loss. In this case, the iris and cornea are not wide enough apart which can cause the edge of the iris to block the drainage channels (Learn about Glaucoma; and Glaucoma, 2002). Secondary Glaucoma results from other eye diseases or problems, such as diabetes, trauma, and tumors . Congenital Glaucoma is a rare glaucoma found in infants (Glaucoma, 2002). Normal Tension Glaucoma occurs in those with normal IOP’s but have damage to the optic nerve. Pigmentary Glaucoma results from parts of the pigment in the iris breaking off and slowly clogging the drainage channels.