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What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly and permanently destroyed. In most people this damage is due to an increase in eye pressure as a result of a number of causes. Perhaps a blockage of the circulation of aqueous humor, or its drainage, poor blood supply to the vital optic nerve fibres, a weakness in the structure of the nerve, and/or a problem in the health of the nerve fibres themselves.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of vision loss in the world and third in Australia amongst people over the age of 55. It affects more than 300,000 Australians and similar to Type 2 diabetes only 50% of glaucoma sufferers know they have this eye disease.
Although the prevalence is more common as people age, it can occur at any age and even be present at birth.As our population becomes older, the number of glaucoma patients is likely to increase.Teacher: Michael
Many articles taken from 'A word with the doctor', by Dr. John Windsor.
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