GLAUCOMA OPTIC NEUROPATHY: MODERN METHODS OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND PREDICTION OF PROGRESSION

Аннотация

The space between the cornea and the iris is the anterior chamber of the eye, and the space between the iris and the lens is the posterior chamber. Both chambers are filled with intraocular fluid (its second name is "aqueous humor"). This fluid is necessary for the refraction of light, and is also saturated with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the organ of vision. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. This eye disease is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often do not appear until late and is difficult to treat because of the irreversible loss of retinal neurons. Although dead neurons cannot be restored, the progression of glaucoma can be slowed with proper therapy. Keywords: Complications, Diagnosis, Glaucoma, Prevalence, Classification, Causes and progression of the disease, Symptoms. Introduction: The space between the cornea and the iris is the anterior chamber of the eye, and the space between the iris and the lens is the posterior chamber. Both chambers are filled with intraocular fluid (its second name is "aqueous humor"). This fluid is necessary for the refraction of light, and is also saturated with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the organ of vision. The transparent, white outer layer is called the sclera. At the front of the eye, the membrane turns into a transparent convex cornea, which largely controls the refraction of light. The main function of the outer shell is to maintain intraocular pressure and the correct shape of the eye. As we age, the outer shell of all people loses its elasticity and becomes stiffer. Behind the iris is the ciliary body, which produces intraocular fluid and holds the crystalline lens, a transparent biological lens, capable of changing its curvature, thereby providing a clear image. The depth of the anterior chamber is approximately 3-3.5 mm, the posterior chamber is significantly narrower. Both cavities communicate with each other through the pupil. Normally, the volume of the eye chambers does not change due to the inflow and outflow of intraocular fluid. 391 NEW RENAISSANCE 2025 JUNE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6 One of the most important structures of the eye is the anterior chamber angle. It is formed where the cornea meets the sclera and the iris meets the ciliary body. It is here that the Schlemm's canal is located, through which moisture flows. This is the drainage system of the eye, the dysfunction of which leads to increased intraocular pressure. The inner layer (retina) contains visual receptors known as cones and rods. Electrical signals from the receptors are transmitted to the optic nerve, which, through its fibers, enters the cerebral cortex. The place where the optic nerve exits is called the blind spot - it contains neither rods nor cones. Under the retina of the eye is the vitreous humor, a transparent, jelly-like substance that maintains the shape and tone of the eye and also participates in the transmission of light rays. In front, the vitreous humor is limited by the lens. Glaucoma is a general name for a group of eye diseases in which intraocular pressure (IOP) is constantly or periodically increased. As a result, irreversible changes occur in the retina and damage to the optic nerve, which leads to impaired vision and even blindness. The term "glaucoma" (from the Greek glaukos - "watery blue") was first mentioned in the works of Hippocrates around 400 BC. He called it an eye disease that leads to blindness. As it turned out later, the famous physician did not see the difference between glaucoma and cataracts, so he combined them into one disease. The disease is named glaucoma because in the later stages, the cornea of the eye may take on a cloudy bluish color. A "cloudy" eye can be a sign of not only glaucoma, but also other diseases that can only be diagnosed by a doctor. In the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), glaucoma is designated by the code H40. Separate codes are allocated for different variants of the disease: a. H40.0 - suspected glaucoma; b. H40.1 - Primary open-angle glaucoma; c. H40.2 - Primary angle-closure glaucoma; 392 NEW RENAISSANCE 2025 JUNE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6 d. H40.3 - secondary glaucoma after trauma; e. H40.4 - Glaucoma secondary to inflammatory eye disease; f. H40.5 - glaucoma secondary to other eye diseases; g. H40.6 - glaucoma secondary to drug use; h. H40.8 - Other glaucoma; i. H40.9 - glaucoma, unspecified; j. Q15.0 - Congenital glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious disease and the main cause of irreversible blindness. In most patients, pathological changes affect both eyes. Every second person with glaucoma does not even suspect that they have the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 600,000 new cases of blindness due to glaucoma are recorded each year, and the total number of people suffering from this disease in the world has a