Glaucoma Case

Part B: Glaucoma (503 Words)

According to the Glaucoma research foundation (2011) there are several different types of glaucoma these include, open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma and secondary glaucoma. People at risk of glaucoma are, African Americans, people over the age of 60, steroid users, persons with a previous eye injury, hypertension sufferers and a person with cataracts (Glaucoma research foundation 2011).

According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (2011) the two most common types of glaucoma are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma, these are both marked by an increase to pressure inside the eye. Open-angle glaucoma is caused by a clog in the drainage canals of the eye, it creates a wide angle between iris and the cornea, it develops over a long period of time and its symptoms are not always recognisable (Glaucoma research foundation 2011). Angle-closure glaucoma is also caused by a blockage in the drainage canals, the differences are there is a closure between the iris and the cornea, it develops quickly, damage to the eye is seen and it requires fast medical attention (Glaucoma Research Foundation 2011).

Biochemically the progression of open angled glaucoma is caused by a degeneration of the trabecular meshwork filter, this leads to aqueous build-up and high eye pressure. Pressure causes damage to the ganglion nerves; it is proposed that damage is also caused by vascular compromise, stretching and glutamine transmitter pathways (Eye Teachers of America Foundation 2011). In angle-closure glaucoma the lens sticks to the iris blocking aqueous into the pupil, the iris is moved anteriorly also causing a blockage in the trabecular meshwork (Eye Teachers of America Foundation 2011).

Presentation of Open-angled glaucoma in patients will present with three findings patients will usually have an elevated eye pressure, optic disk damage and visual field loss patterns (Eye Teachers of America Foundation 2011). An elevated eye pressure and optic nerve damaging are clinical features arising from the changes that happen. In the early stages there are no visual symptoms, pain or other symptoms this directs completely to the slow development of the disease as seen in the pathiophysiology (Eye Teachers of America Foundation 2011).

According to the (Eye Teachers of America Foundation 2011) the presentation of Closed-Angled glaucoma would include a red painful eye and the pupil will be sluggish and dilated. The eye will feel very hard. This type of glaucoma presents quickly, the physiological changes cause the pressure in the eye to be extreme and this needs urgent medical attention. The cornea is also extremely swelled during the process so it is hard to see into the eye. This type of glaucoma can also make a patient feel nauseated which differs it from open-angled.