Article Sections

Introduction

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy that is often (but not always) associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).  Both adults and children can be affected; the disease course can be insidious or acute.  Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

Pathophysiology

Glaucoma is often associated with elevation in IOP, which is maintained by aqueous humor.  Aqueous humor is a clear liquid that provides nutrients to the eye.  It is produced by the epithelial cells of the ciliary body, secreted into the posterior eye chamber, and transferred through the pupil into the anterior eye chamber.  The anterior chamber angle (iridocorneal angle) contains a trabecular meshwork through which aqueous humor diffuses into the canal of Schlemm (scleral venous sinus) and subsequently into episcleral and conjunctival veins.

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