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Pathogenesis of optic nerve damage in glaucoma

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The pathogenesis of optic nerve damage in glaucoma remains uncertain but two mechanisms which are thought to be responsible have been proposed (1,2)

  • mechanical theory - increased intra ocular pressure (IOP) results in posterior displacement of the lamina cribrosa causing damage to the retinal ganglion cells that pass through it
  • vascular theory - axonal death results from poor optic nerve head capillary perfusion. IOP is normal (2)

Much doubt exists regarding these two mechanisms and evidence suggests that glaucomatous changes may result from a complex interaction between these two (2).

Reference:

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