Glaucoma valve
Glaucoma Valve
A Glaucoma Valve (pronounced: glaw-KOH-muh valv) is a medical device implanted in the eye to treat glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss or blindness.
Etymology
The term "Glaucoma" originates from the Greek word "glaukos," which means "gray," referring to the appearance of the affected eyes. The term "valve" comes from the Latin "valva," meaning "a folding door," which describes the function of the device.
Function
The Glaucoma Valve works by creating a new pathway for the aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye) to drain, thereby reducing intraocular pressure. It is typically used when medication and laser treatments have not been successful in controlling the pressure.
Types
There are several types of Glaucoma Valves, including the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve, the Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant, and the Molteno device. Each type has its own specific design and method of controlling fluid flow.
Related Terms
- Intraocular Pressure: The fluid pressure inside the eye.
- Optic Nerve: The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
- Aqueous Humor: The clear fluid filling the space in the front of the eyeball between the lens and the cornea.
- Ahmed Glaucoma Valve: A type of glaucoma valve.
- Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant: Another type of glaucoma valve.
- Molteno device: Yet another type of glaucoma valve.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glaucoma valve
- Wikipedia's article - Glaucoma valve
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