Glaucoma
Glaucomas are a wide-ranging group of ocular diseases characterized by a chronic and progressive damage in the optical nerve due to the death, caused by apoptosis, of a particolar type of cell named Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs).
Glaucomas are characterized by an altered appearance of the “head” of the optical nerve and the nerve layer, with altered field of vision detectable by means of Perimetry Test.
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form, and one of the main causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main risk factor for the onset of glaucoma is the presence of elevated levels of Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP).The increase in intra-ocular pressure is generally due to a reduced drainage of the eye fluid (aqueous humour) by the specialized ocular structures (trabecular meshwork, and sclera-uvea).
There are other risk factors that are related to glaucomatous disease with a medium level of evidence: age, ethnicity (black), male gender, positive familial history, presence of pseudo-exfoliation (PEX) and low ocular perfusion pressure.
Other factors related to glaucoma onset with a medium level of evidence are the following: reduced central corneal thickness (CCT), myopia (more than -3 dioptres) and diabetes.
The currently available treatment options are based on:
Neuroprotection of the ganglion cells, by using substances able to enhance cell survival and function, #
