The Kat House

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness.  Approximately 67 million people worldwide have glaucoma, including more than 3 million in the United States. 

The Glaucoma Foundation compares a healthy eye to a sink.  The faucet is always running, and the drain is always open.  The aqueous humor is constantly circulating through the anterior chamber.  It is produced by the ciliary body, which is situated behind the iris.  The aqueous flows between the iris and the lens, and after nourishing the cornea and lens, flows out of the eye through a very tiny spongy tissue called the trabecular meshwork.  The trabecular meshwork is situated in the angle where the iris and cornea meet. 

When this drain becomes clogged, aqueous cannot leave the eye as fast as it is produced, causing the fluid to build up.  But since the eye is a closed compartment, the “sink” doesn’t overflow.  The backed up fluid causes increased pressure to build within the eye.  To understand just how this pressure affects the eye, think of the eye as a balloon.  When too much air enters the balloon, the pressure builds and the balloon pops.  The eye is too strong to pop, so instead, it gives at its weakest point, which is where the optic nerve leaves the eye.  

The optic nerve is part of the central nervous system and carries visual information from the eye to the brain.  This nerve is made up of over one million nerve axons, which are nerve fiber extensions of the retinal ganglion cells.  When the eye pressure is increased, the optic nerve becomes damaged and the retinal ganglion cells begin to die.  This results in permanent vision loss.

At this time, there is no cure for glaucoma.  However, through early diagnosis and treatment, blindness can be prevented.

I am one of the lucky glaucoma patients.  I was diagnosed eight years ago, at the age of 27.  I see my doctor frequently, and I am on daily medications to control the disease.  I have suffered very little optic nerve damage so far, and with any luck, it will stay that way.  I dream of the day a cure is found – hopefully in my own lifetime. 

You can help.  On July 28th, Mike and I will be participating in Blogathon 2007.  Beginning at 9 AM Eastern, we will blog for 24 straight hours on our shared blog, BlogsWeLuv, to support The Glaucoma Foundation.  Please consider making a pledge for our cause.  Every dollar you contribute will help to further research into this horrible disease.  As an added incentive, we will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift card at the close of Blogathon 2007.  For every $5 you contribute, you will receive one entry into the drawing. 

Several people have expressed interest in donating by PayPal.  At this time, The Glaucoma Foundation is not accepting payment by PayPal.  They did, however, ask that I mention that donations in the form of checks and money orders can always be accepted by mail.  At the close of Blogathon 2007, you will receive an email reminding you to satisy your pledge.  If you do not wish to pay by credit card, you may send your donation by mail at that time.

Thank you for your help!