Glossary of Terms Relating to Glaucoma

Aqueous humor

an ocular fluid that bathes and nourishes the front part of the eye

Glaucoma

an ocular disease associated with damage to the optic nerve that may eventually lead to blindness

Hyperemia

redness of the eye that may be a common, mild side effect of the prostaglandin analogues

Intra-ocular pressure (IOP)

the amount of pressure in the eye. It is measured in units called mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). High IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma and is the main target of therapy

Iris

the coloured part of the eye

Optic nerve

a large nerve located behind the eye that carries visual signals to the brain

Peripheral vision

also known as side vision. This is the area of patients’ vision that begins to disappear when they get glaucoma

Tonometry

a common method used to measure IOP

Visual field

a patient’s total area of sight. Patients will usually see less area when they get glaucoma. When patients have lost all of their visual field, they are blind.

Information on this page provided by Alcon Canada Inc.