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The
Optometric Glaucoma Society announces travel awards for individuals
involved in research related to glaucoma. Grants from $1000-$2000 are
available depending upon the length of travel for an individual to
attend the Optometric Glaucoma Society and American Academy of
Optometry annual meeting. The individual applying must either be based
at a school or college of optometry or be recommended by a member of
the Optometric Glaucoma Society. The individual must be
engaged in research related to glaucoma and be willing to
present an abstract of the work at the Optometric Glaucoma Society
annual meeting. The application process can be completed online in the
“Awards and Grants”
page of this web site. |
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Glaucoma
is a group of disorders that affects the eye, leading to
damage to the ganglion cells and their axons. This results in
irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma represents one of the
leading causes of irreversible blindness in the USA and world-wide.
There are a variety of glaucomas, most of which are asymptomatic until
the late stages. The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle
glaucoma (POAG). Early detection is the key to limiting damage from
this insidious painless cause of vision loss. While there are a number
of risk factors for vision loss from glaucoma, the primary one is
elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Whether elevated IOP is the direct
cause of damage or an inciting factor for neurotoxicity, ischemic
damage, or other events, progressive changes occur without
intervention. Elevated IOP occurs when aqueous humor (clear fluid
inside the eye) that is necessary for intraocular nutrition, fails to
drain properly. When this situation is sustained, damage to the optic
nerve occurs. In some individuals, what is generally thought to be
normal pressure (IOP) can result in damage to the optic nerve. This
situation may be related to abnormal blood flow or other factors (see:
Normal-tension glaucoma below). Primary open-angle glaucoma is
generally a disorder seen in patents over the age of 40 years. Some
instances of glaucoma secondary to developmental disorders may manifest
themselves in infants, children or even young adults. There are other,
less common, forms of glaucoma. Additionally, there are groups of
patients classified as Ocular hypertensive and Glaucoma suspect.
Ocular Hypertension
- Individuals with elevated IOP who have no signs of disease. The
appearance of the optic nerve (structure) as well as visual fields
(function) is considered healthy and normal.
Glaucoma Suspects
- Individuals classified a glaucoma suspects have risk factors for
developing glaucoma but show no clinical signs (healthy appearing optic
nerves) or deficit in function (subjectively normal visual fields). The
IOP is also in the normal range.
Open-angle Glaucoma
- In this most common form of the disorder, the drainage pathway for
aqueous leaving the eye is open. This determination is made with a
contact lens placed on the eye, called a gonioscope. Open angle may be
classified as primary (no obvious damage or reason for obstructed
drainage) or secondary. In the secondary open-angle glaucomas, there is
elevated IOP caused by pigmentary disorders in the eye, deposition of
material on the drainage meshwork (exfoliation), damage from trauma to
the eye, or abnormal drainage secondary to chronic topical steroid use.
Closed-angle Glaucoma - Closed angle
glaucoma is the result of anatomical forces that physically block the
drainage angle. Factors that predispose patients to this form of
glaucoma are significant far-sightedness (hyperopia), small eyes, and
older age. In particular, Asians tend to be predisposed to this form of
glaucoma. Closure of the angle may be insidious but is often acute. The
resulting spike of IOP causes painful, red eyes that represent an
emergency to be managed expediently.
Normal
Tension Glaucoma
- normal- tension glaucoma occurs in patients with IOP in the
statistically normal range and is managed in a similar manner as other
open angle forms of glaucoma.
Congenital
Glaucoma -
congenital glaucoma occurs when a child is born with defects in the
drainage system of the eye that slow the fluid drainage out of the eye.
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The
principal risk factor for glaucoma is elevated IOP. This may cause
a cascade of events that leads to damage to the optic nerve. There are
cases, however, where elevated IOP is tolerated and no damage ensues.
As with Normal or Low Tension Glaucoma, the converse may be true. A
statistically normal IOP may result in damage to the optic nerve due to
unknown forces. |
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Risk
for glaucoma, aside from elevated IOP, can be based on age, race,
and additional clinically determined factors. African Americans have
been shown to be at risk at an earlier age than Caucasians, for
example. Individuals of Asian descent over that age of 60 may be more
prone to developing angle closure or normal tension glaucoma.
Individuals with a family history are at increased risk, especially
when they are over 60 year of age or have a sibling diagnosed with
glaucoma. Other factors may represent surrogate risks such as thin
central cornea [measured clinically with a simple procedure in the
office], or vascular conditions such as migraine or vasospastic
dysregulation. |
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There
is no cure for glaucoma but it can be managed in two ways: medication
and surgery. Both treatments manage the disease by lowering the
intraocular pressure. |
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