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Glossary
5-FU
A medication designed to stop the healing process. Sometimes used around the bleb to stop it from healing or scarring over.
angle closure glaucoma
A type of glaucoma caused by a sudden and severe rise in eye pressure. Occurs when the pupil enlarges too much or too quickly, and the outer edge of the iris blocks the eye’s drainage canals. Can be either acute or chronic.
bleb
A bubble in the eye tissue that lays over the new drainage opening created during surgery.
ciliary body
Tissues located around the lens of the eye that supply fluid to nourish the eye.
congenital glaucoma
A rare form of glaucoma that occurs in babies and young children. This condition can be inherited. It is usually the result of incorrect or incomplete development of the eye’s drainage canals during the prenatal period.
conjunctiva
A thin, clear membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the outer surface of the eyeball, except for the cornea.
cornea
The clear part of the eye located in front of the iris. Part of the eye’s protective covering.
drainage canals
Small openings around the outer edge of the iris. These canals provide the final pathway for fluid to leave the inside of the eye. Sometimes referred to as the trabecular meshwork or Schlemm’s canal.
glaucoma suspect
A person may be considered a glaucoma suspect on the basis of high intraocular pressure, an unusual appearance of the optic disc or visual field, a family history of glaucoma, or narrow angles between the iris and cornea.
gonioscopy
In this test, a contact lens that contains a mirror is gently placed on the eye. The mirror lets the doctor look sideways into the eye to check
whether the angle where the iris meets the cornea is open or closed. This helps the doctor decide whether open angle or angle closure glaucoma is present.
intraocular pressure (IOP):
The inner pressure of the eye. Normal intraocular pressure usually ranges from 12-22 mm Hg, although people with relatively low pressures
can still have glaucoma (see normal tension glaucoma).
iris
The colored part of the eye that can expand or contract to allow the right amount of light to enter the eye.
laser surgery
A type of surgery in which a tiny, powerful beam of energy is used to solve problems in the eye. There are three common forms of laser surgery for glaucoma:
- laser peripheral iridotomy: creates a new drainage hole in the iris, allowing the iris to fall away from the outflow channel so fluid can drain out of the eye.
- laser trabeculoplasty: in this procedure, the laser is aimed toward the normal drainage channels of the eye, in an attempt to open those channels so fluid can leave the eye more efficiently.
- laser cyclophotocoagulation: this laser procedure is usually used in people who have severe glaucoma and are not responding to standard glaucoma surgery. The laser is used to partially destroy the tissues that make the fluid in the eye.
microsurgery
Surgery performed with a microscope in which a tool is used to make a tiny, new opening in the sclera so that intraocular fluid can drain out of the inside of the eye.
mm Hg
An abbreviation for “millimeters of mercury,” which is a scale for recording intraocular pressure.
normal tension glaucoma
Also called low tension glaucoma. A rare form of glaucoma in which intraocular pressure stays within the normal range (12-22 mm Hg), but damage still occurs to the optic nerve and visual fields.
open angle glaucoma
The most common form of glaucoma in the western world. This form of glaucoma usually develops very slowly as the eye’s drainage canals
gradually become clogged. There are no early warning signs for open angle glaucoma, which is why it is often called the “sneak thief
of sight.”
ophthalmoscopy
A test used to look at the inside of the eye, especially the optic nerve. A device with a small light on the end is held up to the inside of the eye in a darkened room. This device lights up and magnifies the eye, so that the shape and color of the optic nerve can be seen.
perimetry
Also known as the visual field test. A test that produces a map of the complete field of vision, to check whether there is damage to any area of vision.
peripheral vision
The top, sides, and bottom areas of vision. These are usually the first areas of vision affected by glaucoma. Sometimes referred to as side
vision.
primary open angle glaucoma
The most common form of glaucoma in the western world. This form of glaucoma usually develops very slowly as the eye’s drainage canals
gradually become clogged. There are no early warning signs for primary open angle glaucoma, which is why it is often called the “sneak thief of sight.” Also known as open angle glaucoma.
retina
The part of the eye that carries light and images to the brain through the optic nerve.
secondary open angle glaucoma
A form of glaucoma that can occur as the result of an eye injury, inflammation, or tumor. Includes forms such as pigmentary glaucoma and steroid-induced glaucoma.
selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
A type of laser surgery that uses a combination of frequencies allowing the laser to work at very low levels. It treats specific cells “selectively” and leaves untreated portions of the trabecular meshwork (the mesh-like drainage canals surrounding the iris) intact.
tonometry
The use of a device to measure the pressure in the eye. There are two types of tonometry:
- Air Puff: This is the only type of tonometry that does not touch
the surface of the eye. The patient sits facing the instrument, and
a warm puff of air is directed at the eye. - Applanation: The patient’s eye is first treated with numbing
drops and a stain called fluorescein. The tonometer is then placed
gently on the cornea, and a very small amount of pressure is applied to the cornea. The patient may sit in front of the tonometer or a hand-held tonometer may be used.
trabecular meshwork
The formal name of the mesh-like drainage canals surrounding the iris.