African American Blindness

For nearly century glaucoma is considered as one of the most common eye pathologies around the world, but also one of the leading causes of blindness. In fact, Glaucoma specifically in the United States, according to the book essentials of ophthalmology “ affects more than two million Americans of all age” (p. 108). Before going further in facts, a deeper look about such disease is necessary; an analysis of his origin, the causes and the solutions to the problem are indispensable.Moreover, an examination of why is African -American mostly affect by that kind of disease will be also addressed

ORIGIN, DEFINITION, CAUSES

Douglas H. Johnson and Richard F. Brubaker in the book “essentials of ophthalmology” asserts that “the term glaucoma (glaukos, bluish green) dates from ancient Greek time and referred to blindness from

Kevin Mc Kinney from the American academy of ophthalmology acknowledge that it exists different types of glaucoma and categorize them as follow:

“1) Primary open angle glaucoma: this is the most common form of glaucoma. It occurs when the trabecular meshwork of the eye gradually becomes less efficient at draining fluid.

2) Normal tension glaucoma: that type of glaucoma arises even though the pressure in the eye is normal, but the optic nerve is damaged.3) Angle closure glaucoma: also called narrow angle glaucoma. It occurs when someone’s iris is very close to the drainage angle in their eye. That type of glaucoma can cause vision loss within a day if is not treated as an emergency.4)Secondary glaucoma: type of glaucoma resulting from injury or other eye disease.5) Congenital glaucoma: mostly manifested in children. Most often they were born with a defect in the angle of drainage.Glaucoma suspect: Some people have normal eye pressure, but their optic nerve or visual field looks suspicious for glaucoma.” (Geteyesmart-Journal of American Academy of Ophthalmology)

Signs, symptoms and