Font Size
A
A
A

Normal-Tension Glaucoma (cont.)

Normal-Tension Glaucoma Causes

Although its cause is not completely understood, normal-tension glaucoma is generally believed to occur either because of an unusually fragile optic nerve that can be damaged despite a normal pressure inside the eye or because of reduced blood flow to the optic nerve.

  • Unusually fragile optic nerves may be inherited.

  • Reduced blood flow to the optic nerve can be due to disorders of the blood vessels (called vascular diseases), including vasospasms and ischemia.

    • Vasospasms are spasms or constrictions of the blood vessels.

    • Ischemia is reduced oxygen delivered to the tissue, in this case the optic nerve, because the blood vessels are either narrowed or obstructed.



Next: Normal-Tension Glaucoma Symptoms »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend

WebMD Daily

Get breaking medical news.

Are You Depressed? Take the Quiz


Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Glaucoma, Low Tension »

Low-tension glaucoma (LTG) is a chronic optic neuropathy that affects adults.

Read More on eMedicine »

Medical Dictionary