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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Glaucoma Caused From Head Trauma?

I was in a car accident. the other driver slammed into the back of my parked, car. of course, whip lash, muscle strain and severe head aches were the obvious diagnose. I had a cat scan, because my motor skills seemed to be affect, very slow gait and unbalance. i have been recently diagnose with a cataract and glaucoma in my left eye. Damage has been done in my peripheral vision. Can cataract and or glaucoma be caused from head trauma?
posted on Fri, 26 Feb 2016
Twitter Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 11 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Cataract and glaucoma are not associated with head trauma.
Cataract is an age related disorder wherein the intra-ocular lens undergoes opacification or becomes opaque instead of being clear and transparent.
However, there is a type of cataract which is accelerated by trauma.
Diagnosis of this cataract accelerated by trauma can be diagnosed only when there is no previous history of cataract.
Glaucoma is caused due to increase in intra-ocular tension (IOT).
However, increase in intra-ocular tension is not caused or accelerated by trauma.
Injury to the ciliary body which is associated with production of aqoeus humor or the draining system of eye can result dynamic changes which lead to increased intra-ocular pressure and thus glaucoma.
A clinical assessment can only determine whether both these changes - cataract and increased intra-ocular pressure are due to trauma or not.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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Is Glaucoma Caused From Head Trauma?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Cataract and glaucoma are not associated with head trauma. Cataract is an age related disorder wherein the intra-ocular lens undergoes opacification or becomes opaque instead of being clear and transparent. However, there is a type of cataract which is accelerated by trauma. Diagnosis of this cataract accelerated by trauma can be diagnosed only when there is no previous history of cataract. Glaucoma is caused due to increase in intra-ocular tension (IOT). However, increase in intra-ocular tension is not caused or accelerated by trauma. Injury to the ciliary body which is associated with production of aqoeus humor or the draining system of eye can result dynamic changes which lead to increased intra-ocular pressure and thus glaucoma. A clinical assessment can only determine whether both these changes - cataract and increased intra-ocular pressure are due to trauma or not. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri