Glaucoma Introduction

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, usually due to high intraocular pressure (IOP). If not diagnosed and treated early, glaucoma can lead to loss of vision.

Development of Glaucoma

Eye structure

Like the diagram shows, the eye is shaped like a ball, with a transparent outer structure called the cornea at the front of the eye, the iris behind the cornea, the pupil at its center, and the lens suspended behind the pupil. The space between the cornea and the lens is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor (AH). This fluid is continuously produced inside the eye and carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the eye and is responsible for maintaining the intraocular pressure (IOP).

IOP maintenance

IOP depends on the balance between the production and outflow of AH in the eye, which is produced in the ciliary body behind the iris, flows through the pupil, and exits through the trabecular meshwork, which is present in the drainage angle between the cornea and the iris. In the normal eye, there is a balance between AH production and outflow, and when outflow is restricted, then IOP is usually elevated.

Optic nerve damage

The eye requires a certain level of pressure to maintain its shape, but if the pressure is too high, it can put pressure on the optic nerve. Elevated pressure damages the optic nerve by reducing the blood supply to the optic nerve and by direct pressure damage to the nerve cells, and damage caused in this way is diagnosed as glaucoma.

Glaucoma Symptoms

Many people have a hard time realizing they have glaucoma early on because it usually doesn't cause any symptoms.
It usually progresses slowly and affects peripheral vision first. Possible symptoms include blurred vision or seeing rainbow-colored circles around bright lights.

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but there are several risk factors that make glaucoma more likely to occur.

Genetic Factor

Glaucoma is usually inherited, and some genes are more common in people with glaucoma. Some genetic influences can cause glaucoma, and this glaucoma may appear from birth.

Age Factor

Glaucoma becomes more prevalent with age, and the condition is fairly rare under 40 years of age, but the number of people with the condition rises gradually from 40 years of age onwards.

Blood Pressure Factor

Abnormally high blood pressure can lead to increased intraocular pressure, while low blood pressure can lead to insufficient blood supply to the optic nerve, both of which can cause problems.

Ethnic Factor

The risk of glaucoma also varies by ethnicity, with people of African and East Asian ethnicity having a higher risk of developing glaucoma.

Short- or Long-Sighte Factor

People with myopia and hyperopia are at increased risk of developing primary angle-closure glaucoma.

We Offer Help for Researchers

Glaucoma is an incurable, irreversible, lifelong chronic disease, but treatment can help stop the deterioration of a person's vision. Many eye disease institutes and associations are committed to exploring more information about glaucoma and providing further support for those affected by it.

As a contract service provider focused on glaucoma, we help researchers by developing innovative glaucoma treatment solutions to help maintain vision and improve eye health.

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