PLACE

STAMP
HERE

Genetic
Disorder:
GLAUCOMA

CAUSES

Normally, this fluid, called

aqueous humor, flows out of
the eye through a mushy-like
channel. If this channel
becomes clogged, fluid builds
up, causing glaucoma. The
direct cause of this blockage
is not known, but doctors do
know that it can be inherited,
meaning it is passed from
parents to offspring. In other
cases, less common causes of
glaucoma include a blunt(hit)
or chemical injury to the eye,
severe eye infection, clogging
of blood vessels in the eye,
inflammatory conditions of
the eye, and occasionally eye
surgery to correct another
condition. Glaucoma usually
occurs in both eyes, but it
may involve each eye to a
different extent.

What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a condition of

increased pressure within the eyeball, causing
gradual loss of sight.

Aaron Plateros
6th Period Biology
DUE DATE: 12/2/14

What causes Glaucoma?

There are many factors that
contribute to Glaucoma.
Glaucoma usually occurs
when pressure in your eye
increases. This can happen
when eye fluid isn't
circulating normally in the
front part of the eye.

My brain is only a
receiver, in the Universe
there is a core from which
we obtain knowledge,
strength and inspiration. I
have not penetrated into
the secrets of this core, but
I know that it exists
-Nikola Tesla

Symptoms of Glaucoma

How is Glaucoma Inherited?

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is the most
common childhood glaucoma affecting children from
birth to age 3 and is a major cause of blindness in this
young population. Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene have
been found to cause PCG in children worldwide and
are the dominant genetic cause for glaucoma in
children in the Middle East and central Europe. In the
United States only 15% of children with PCG have a
mutation in CYP1B1, so there are ongoing efforts to
identify additional causes in these young patients.
Other types of glaucoma related to weird development
of the eye occur in older children. The genes
implicated in these forms of glaucoma play a key role
in the development of the eye, so when they
malfunction they cause abnormalities in the eye's fluid
drainage system which leads to high eye pressures
and glaucoma. The genes currently known to be
associated with these forms of glaucoma include
PITX2, PITX3, FOXC1, FOXE3, PAX6, LMX1B, and MAF.
Chromosomes 1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10,11,15,14,17,20 are
affected by Glaucoma. It is also a recessive gene.

Hazy or blurred vision

The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around

bright lights

Severe eye and head pain

Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye

pain)

Sudden sight loss

Treatments
Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, pills, laser
surgery, traditional surgery or a combination of these
methods. The goal of any treatment is to prevent loss
of vision, as vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.
The good news is that glaucoma can be managed if
detected early, and that with medical and/or surgical
treatment, most people with glaucoma will not lose
their sight. Taking medications regularly, as
prescribed, is very important to preventing visionthreatening damage. While every drug has some
potential side effects, it is important to note that many
patients experience no side effects at all.

References
"Research News: Gene Mutation
Exacerbates Eye Defect in Inherited
Glaucoma | Howard Hughes Medical
Institute (HHMI)." HHMI.org. N.p., n.d.
Web. 26 Nov. 2014.
"Glaucoma." Causes. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov.
2014.
(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/glaucoma/basics/causes/con20024042)
Berdahl, MD, John A. "Glaucoma: Types,
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment."
Glaucoma. N.p., 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Nov.
2014.
"What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?"
Glaucoma Research Foundation. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 Nov. 2014.
WebMD, LLC. "WebMD." Glaucoma and Your
Eyes. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.