The human eye is to the utmost an incredible organ that is complex, and not only is the structure, but the function of it entirely astonishing. It is composed of more than two million working parts, and is the fastest muscle in the human body. Although, with such complexity the eye can also contribute to several health issues. For example, as the leading cause of blindness in the world(according to the World Health Organization), glaucoma is a group of diseases that is more commonly seen than people might imagine.
It is estimated that over three million Americans have glaucoma, yet only half of that amount are aware that they have it. Glaucoma is a complex disease that leads to irreversible vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve. The …show more content…
Open-angled glaucoma, also called primary or chronic glaucoma, is the most common one amongst all types, accounted for ninety percent of glaucoma occurrences. The open-angled glaucoma is caused by slow blockage in the drainage canals, and has a wide open angle between the cornea and the iris. Additionally, it is a lifelong affliction that occurs gradually. Unlike the angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage canals are blocked, and because of this there is a sudden rise in pressure, and has a closed angled between the cornea and …show more content…
In order to complete an examination for the detection of glaucoma there are five tests that must be finalized. Before a patient is diagnosed properly the five test include a tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, perimetry, gonioscopy, and pachymetry. A tonometry measures the eye pressure with a device called a tonometer. The device either puts a minimal amount of pressure against the eye by a small utensil or with a warm puff of air. Because eye pressure is distinctive to each person, someone with glaucoma can have a normal pressure range, which is considered between twelve and twenty two mmHg (millimeters of mercury). While a glaucoma patient would commonly have a pressure exceeding twenty mmHg. A ophthalmoscopy examines the shape and color of the optic nerve. First, the eye doctor would apply eye drops to the patient that will dilate the person’s pupil in order to see in the back of the eye to inspect the optic nerve. To enlarge the optic nerve the doctor would place a small instrument with a light to clearly inspect the eye. A parametry examines the complete field of eyesight by having a patient look directly in one spot and indicate any movement of light that passes their peripheral vision. A gonioscopy examines the angle where the cornea and iris meet and whether or not if it is open wide or closed. In this process the doctor will place a contact lense in the eye with a mirror that will determine
It is estimated that over three million Americans have glaucoma, yet only half of that amount are aware that they have it. Glaucoma is a complex disease that leads to irreversible vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve. The …show more content…
Open-angled glaucoma, also called primary or chronic glaucoma, is the most common one amongst all types, accounted for ninety percent of glaucoma occurrences. The open-angled glaucoma is caused by slow blockage in the drainage canals, and has a wide open angle between the cornea and the iris. Additionally, it is a lifelong affliction that occurs gradually. Unlike the angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage canals are blocked, and because of this there is a sudden rise in pressure, and has a closed angled between the cornea and …show more content…
In order to complete an examination for the detection of glaucoma there are five tests that must be finalized. Before a patient is diagnosed properly the five test include a tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, perimetry, gonioscopy, and pachymetry. A tonometry measures the eye pressure with a device called a tonometer. The device either puts a minimal amount of pressure against the eye by a small utensil or with a warm puff of air. Because eye pressure is distinctive to each person, someone with glaucoma can have a normal pressure range, which is considered between twelve and twenty two mmHg (millimeters of mercury). While a glaucoma patient would commonly have a pressure exceeding twenty mmHg. A ophthalmoscopy examines the shape and color of the optic nerve. First, the eye doctor would apply eye drops to the patient that will dilate the person’s pupil in order to see in the back of the eye to inspect the optic nerve. To enlarge the optic nerve the doctor would place a small instrument with a light to clearly inspect the eye. A parametry examines the complete field of eyesight by having a patient look directly in one spot and indicate any movement of light that passes their peripheral vision. A gonioscopy examines the angle where the cornea and iris meet and whether or not if it is open wide or closed. In this process the doctor will place a contact lense in the eye with a mirror that will determine