GLAUCOMA

Definition - What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases causing optic nerve damage. The optic nerve carries images to the brain so we can see. In glaucoma, eye pressure plays a role in damaging the delicate nerve fibers of the optic nerve. When a significant number of nerve fibers are damaged, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Once nerve damage and visual loss occur, it is permanent. Most people don't notice these blind areas until much of the optic nerve damage has already occurred. If the entire nerve is destroyed, blindness results. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world, especially in older people. Early detection and treatment are the keys to preventing optic nerve damage and vision loss from glaucoma.

CATARACT

Definition
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. The vast majority of cataracts are related to age. Most people do not even realize they have a cataract, as cataracts grow very slowly and may not impede vision early on. After a number of years vision will likely be affected.

What Causes a Cataract?
The human lens is transparent so that light can travel through it easily. It has no blood supply. It is 65% water. Although new cells are being made for the lens continuously throughout our lifetime, many factors combine as we age to cause areas in the lens to become cloudy, hard, and dense. The lens can then no longer transmit a clear picture to the retina where it can be processed and sent through the optic nerve to the brain.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

 Definition
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye disease that causes damage to the macula (central retina) of the eye. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in our senior population. Macular Degeneration impairs central vision. People who are affected by Age-Related Macular Degeneration have problems reading, driving and performing activities that require clear central vision. There are two stages of Macular Degeneration; the more common Dry Stage and the Wet Stage.

Macular degeneration causes damage to the macula of the eye. The macula is the central part of the retina at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. Macular degeneration makes close work like threading a needle or reading a book difficult or impossible. When the macula does not function correctly, we experience blurriness or darkness in the center of our vision. Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect peripheral vision.