Glaucoma starts in brain, not eye

[joeblow]

Glaucoma starts in brain, not eye
Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:19:56 GMT

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=1 ... id=3510210



Despite the general belief, a new study finds that glaucoma-related blindness starts with an injury in the brain rather than one in the eye.

Glaucoma is a complicated eye disease in which damage to the optic nerve results in irreversible vision loss. Elevated pressure in the eye is the main cause contributing to the condition.

Retina had long been considered as the first site of damage in patients presenting the disease. The new study, however, voices doubt about this belief.

According to the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the earliest signs of glaucoma appear in the mid-brain as this part of the brain fails to receive the required information from optic nerve fibers.

Scientists are optimistic that their findings will help treat or even prevent glaucoma in the near future.

"It [the findings of this study] does have potentially profound implications for treatment, and even diagnosis, of glaucoma, if it holds true for humans," said lead researcher Darrell WuDunn.

PKH/HGH
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