Aniridia and Glaucoma - can anything be done?I have a friend with aniridia and glaucoma. He's been blind in one eye for years already. If he goes blind in the other eye too, is there anything that can be done?
I don't know much about glaucoma, but I think it damages the optic nerve? Is there any possible way to regenerate or replace the optic nerve? If not, would any kind of transplant work?
If these are stupid, unheard of questions, I'm sorry. But he's my best friend and he doesn't deserve this at all. = (
And yes, unfortunately, he does have glaucoma in both eyes. He already takes meds for it.
Posted by Doc
Good questions! Glaucoma occurs when neurons in the the optic nerve are killed. Unfortunately, once they are dead there is no regeneration (yet discovered anyway), and no transplant will help. It sounds like your friend has some structural defect (anirida) that caused the glaucoma in one eye. Hopefully, the same defect is not present in the other. He needs to keep up with his appointments and will be put on meds if they ever find even the slightest possibility of glaucoma in his good eye.
Posted by Dr.Mihir Shah
Usually aniridia is a bilateral condition.It is a congenital structural anomaly of the eye.As of today, there is no treatment which will regenerate the optic nerve and optic nerve transplant is not possible.The only hope is to prevent furthur damage to the optic nerve in the seeing eye and preserve whatever vision is left.
Dr.Mihir Shah
DO,DNB,MNAMS,PGDMLS
Orignal From: Aniridia and Glaucoma - can anything be done?
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