What is a normal voltage glaucoma?
High pressure inside the eye can damage the optical nerve and cause loss of vision and possibly blindness. This condition is called glaucoma and there are several specific types of glaucoma. Although all glaucoma results in damage to the optical nerve due to intraocular pressure, most glaucoma forms cause pressure to increase. However, normal voltage glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eyeball is within the normal range, but still damages the optical nerve. Loss of vision is directly related to damage to the optical nerve, but why the nerve is damaged when the pressure in the normal range is unclear. Normal intraocular pressure has a measurement of 10-20 millimeters of mercury. The estimated third of glaucoma cases include normal intraocular pressure.
This condition is characterized by progressive damage to the optical nerve. As the damage deteriorates, the field of vision becomes narrower. Glaucoma normal voltage is difficult to diagnose. Standard glaucoma tests rely on constantly increasing intraocular pressure. The diagnosis of normal voltage glaucoma depends onCareful examination and tests of visual acuity.
has been designed several theories to explain why in some cases the optical nerve is damaged by normal pressure. One theory suggests that reduced blood flow causes cells in the optical nerve to die of lack of oxygen and nutrients. Without cells that will carry nerve pulses into the brain, they suffer from vision. Alternative theory reports weaknesses in the optical nerve that leaves the nerve particularly susceptible to pressure -related damage, even if the pressure is in normal range. Also, bad circulation mechanisms can inhibit blood vessels from the pressure control in the eye, causing damage.
have been identified by certain risk factors for normal voltage glaucoma. Anyone with family history of glaucoma is considered a risk to all types of glaucoma. Women are at higher risk than men. The presence of cardiovascular disease also increases riziko man. People of Japanese ancestors are particularly prone to illness.
Optical nerve damage caused by any type of glaucoma is irreversible, so the aim of treatment is to prevent further damage. Treatment of normal voltage glaucoma is to maintain the lowest pressure with drugs. If drugs are ineffective, laser or filter surgery may be required. In some people, however, maintaining normal introocular pressure is not sufficient to prevent further damage. Damage to their optical nerves proceeds regardless of low eye pressure.