|
What is Glaucoma?
Normal eye: In a normal eye, aqueous humor is continuously formed within and removed from the eye. The fluid is actively secreted by the ciliary body into the posterior chamber (between the iris and the lens). From here, the fluid circulates through the pupil and into the anterior chamber (between the cornea and the iris). The aqueous humor then drains out of the eye through the trabecular meshwork and a special drainage system, called the canal of Schlemm, located within the chamber wall.
Glaucoma eye: In an eye afflicted with glaucoma, more aqueous humor is produced than removed from the eye. This results in a build-up of fluid and leads to a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP). The increasing pressure in the anterior chamber is transferred to all parts of the eye. In time, elevated IOP can result in nerve damage and a loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma may even lead to permanent blindness.
|
