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What Is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). (Intraocular means within the eye.) Increased intraocular pressure results from either increased production or decreased drainage of aqueous humor, a clear fluid within the eye providing structural support, oxygen, and nutrition to eye tissues. The resulting increase in pressure within the eye may eventually damage the optic nerve. This increase in intraocular pressure is by far the most common risk factor for vision loss due to glaucoma, but it is not the only factor involved.
Next: What Causes Glaucoma? »
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Ocular Hypertension Overview
The term ocular hypertension usually refers to any situation in which the pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure, is higher than normal. Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 10-21 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension is an eye pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg.
Although its definition has evolved through the years, ocular hypertension is commonly defined as a condition with the following criteria:
- An intraocular pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg is measured in one or both eyes on 2 or more occasions. Pressure inside the eye is measured using an instrument called a tonometer.
- The optic nerve appears normal.
- No signs of glaucoma are evident on visual field testing, which is a test to assess your peripheral (or side) vision.
- To determine other possible causes ...
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Glaucoma, Unilateral: Treatment & Medication »
While any type of glaucoma can be unilateral, primary open-angle glaucoma, primary angle-closure glaucoma, primary infantile glaucoma, juvenile-onset glaucoma, and pigmentary glaucoma are generally bilateral diseases, the severity of which may be asymmetric in the two eyes.
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