vocab 10

primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)

the most common form of glaucoma a chloric eye disease that damages the optic nerve and leads to gradual irreversible vision loss

angle closure glaucoma

a serious eye condition that occurs when the colored part of your eye (the iris) bulges forward and blocks the drainage angle where fluid normally leaves the eye causing a dangerous rise in extraocular pressure (IOP)

congenital glaucoma

a rare genetic eye condition present at birth or appearing in early childhood that happens when fluid (aqueous humor) fails to drain properly from the eye

ocular hypertension

a condition where the pressure inside your eye known as intraocular pressure (IOP) is higher than normal (typically above 21 mmHg) without any signs of optic nerve damage visual field loss or glaucoma

glaucomatous optic neuropathy

the structural hallmark and defining feature of glaucoma in the optic nerve characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of retinal ganglion cells and their axons

optic disc cupping

the enlargement of deepening of the central “cup” depression in the optic nerve head as retinal nerve fibers are lost

visual field defect

a missing or decreased area in your overall scoope of vision

gonioscopy

a painless diagnostic eye exam that uses a specialized contact lens (gonio lens) and a slit lamp microscope to evaluate the anterior chamber angle

goniscope

a magnifying device used in combination with strong illumination and a contact lens for examining the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye

trabeculectomy

surgical removal of a portion of the trabeculum for improved outflow of aqueous in glaucoma patients

tube shunt

a small flexible medical device surgically placed in the eye treat complex or refractory glaucoma

filtering bleb

a small fluid blister or pocket under the conjunctiva that forms after glaucoma surgery such as trabeculectomy

slelective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)

a safe in office laser procedure used in eye care to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

argon laser trabeculoplasty

an in office procedure used to treat open angle glaucoma by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP)

peripheral iridectomy

an eye procedure that creates a tiny hole or opening in the outer edge (periphery) of the iris

branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO)

a block in one of the smaller branches of the central retinal artery which supplies oxygen and blood to specific section of the inner retina

central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)

a sudden painless blockage of the central retinal artery usually by a blood clot, cholesterol plaque, or embolus that cuts off blood and oxygen supply to the inner layers of the retina

branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)

a eye condition where one of the small branch veins that carry blood away from the retina (the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) becomes blocked

central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)

an eye condition where a blood clot blocks the main vein of the retina

night blindness

symptom of poor vision in the dark, dim light, or during rapid transitions from bright light to dark environments

papilledema

the swelling of both optic disc caused by increased pressure inside the skull

optic neuritis

the inflammation of the optic nerve that damages protective myelin sheath and disrupts electrical signals traveling from the eye to the brain

optic atrophy

the degeneration or end stage damage of the optic nerve fibers that carry visual signals from the eye to the brain

optic nerve drusen

small abnormal deposits of protein and calcium that collect in the optic disc

retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

an eye disorder that primarily affects pre mature or low birth wight infants

central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR)

a retinal eye condition in which fluid leaks from the choroid and collects under the macula causing a localized serous (fluid filled) detachment

retinal detachment (RD)

when the retinal pulls away from its normal position cuts off blood supply can cause permanent vision loss if not treated urgently

traction retinal detachment (TRD)

scar tissue or abnormal growths on the retinal pull away from the back wall of the eye

posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)

when the clear gel inside your eye pulls away from the back of your eye (retina) usually harmless

retinal horseshoe tear

flap shaped retinal break caused by the vitreous pulling

scleral buckle

surgeon “support band” that is placed around the white part of your eye (sclera) to press the eye inward

vitrectomy

minor surgery that removes the viterous fluid fluid and replaces it with a special solution

retinopexy

medical procedure that secures a detached or torn retina back to the back wall of the eye

retinal embolus

small piece of the material that travels through your blood stream and gets stuck in a tiny blood vessel in the retina

amaurosis fugax

temporary/painless loss of vision in one eye