Glaucoma

Abstract

GLAUCOMA is that condition of the eyeball in which the intraocular tension, normally greater than the superincumbent atmospheric pressure by about 20–25 mm. Hg., is pathologically still further increased so as to produce various deleterious results. It has hitherto been generally held that variations in the intraocular pressure are produced by changes in the amount of the fluid contents of the globe; that alterations in the quantity of blood may be considered negligible in ftiis respect; and that such variations as occur affect the lymph of the eye. The lymph is thought to be secreted by the ciliary processes, and to be excreted through the so-called “filtration” angle of the anterior chamber into the venous plexus which goes by the name of the canal of Schlemm. On this theory the intraocular tension will vary with the relationship of secretion to excretion of lymph. It is clearly a postulate of the theory that some alteration in the volume of the globe occurs under differing internal pressures, though the necessary amount may be so slight as almost to escape the ordinary crude methods of experimental analysis.

Glaucoma.

By Dr. Thomas Henderson. Pp. xv + 222. (London: Edward Arnold, 1910.) Price 10s. 6d. net.