Newly developed test detects early signs of glaucoma
The ability to see is one of the most crucial senses we have, yet millions of people around the world are at risk of losing it. Diseases and complications affecting the eyes can be very intricate, and most people don’t know the signs to identify a potential eye problem. This leads to many people not seeking medical care when they need it. One such disease is glaucoma, and new research has developed a simple test that could solve this irreversible cause of blindness. Continue reading…
Glaucoma treatment may have potential in helping prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research. The study was conducted on rats using the glaucoma drug brimonidine, which is intended to lower ocular pressure. The study uncovered that this drug also reduced the formation of amyloid proteins – which are believed to be linked to Alzheimer’s disease – in the retina.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease often have amyloid buildup in their retinas, so researchers hypothesized that the retina could be an extension of the brain which could help gain more insight into the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading…
Normal-tension glaucoma is a type of glaucoma in which the optic nerve damage and vision loss occur even though there are normal levels of tension in the eye. Typically, glaucoma is caused by high eye pressure, which leads to damage of the optic nerve, but in normal-tension glaucoma, this is not the case.
Eye pressure, known as intraocular pressure, is measured in millimeters of mercury, just like your blood pressure. A normal eye pressure reading is between 10 to 21 mm Hg. Typical glaucoma patient’s readings of eye pressure are over 21 mm Hg, but in normal-tension glaucoma readings are appear to be normal, yet damage still exists. Continue reading…
Primary open-angle glaucoma is caused by an imbalance in the production and drainage of the aqueous humor, the fluid that fills the anterior chamber of the eye. If there’s too much of this fluid produced and it is not well drained, then the pressure inside the eye – known as intraocular pressure (IOP) – may raise to dangerous levels.
As eye pressure increases, it begins to push up against nerve fibers of the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending signals and information to the brain. As a result, there isn’t enough oxygen and nutrients reaching the optic nerve. Slowly but surely, high IOP causes irreversible damage contributing to vision loss. Continue reading…
Glaucoma, a condition that affects the eyes, can be quite serious and even result in blindness. The older you become, the more prone you are to developing glaucoma. Glaucoma patients typically range between 45 and 64 years of age.
Glaucoma can strike without warning and without symptoms. There is no cure for glaucoma, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to prevent it. This can be done through nutrition and diet, which can deter the onset of this eye condition. Continue reading…