👁 What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy
characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons,
with both:
- Structural damage to the optic nerve
- Functional loss (visual field defects)
✅ It is the second leading cause of global blindness
✅ It is painless, irreversible, and requires early detection
🔍 Glaucoma Diagnosis Requires BOTH:
ComponentDetails
| Structural | Optic disc damage, RNFL thinning |
| Functional | Characteristic visual field loss |
❗ If only one is present, glaucoma cannot be diagnosed
⚠ What is a Glaucoma Suspect?
Patients at risk but not meeting full glaucoma criteria.
May show:
- Elevated IOP ≥ 21 mmHg (Ocular hypertension)
- Suspicious optic disc appearance
- RNFL defects without visual field loss
- Non-specific visual field changes
✅ Often requires no treatment, just regular follow-up
📏 What is Ocular Hypertension?
CriterionDescription
| IOP ≥ 21 mmHg | Persistently elevated pressure |
| Normal optic nerve & field | No glaucomatous damage |
| No ocular/systemic disease | Otherwise healthy eye |
✅ Ocular hypertension ≠ glaucoma
➡️ Requires monitoring for progression
✅ Summary
- Glaucoma = structural + functional damage
- Glaucoma suspect = risk present, not diagnostic
- Ocular hypertension = high IOP, but normal structure/function
- Proper classification affects treatment & quality of life
Comments