ahoy exclamation. âº a âshout used, âespecially by âpeople in âboats, to âattract âattention: Ahoy there!
Glaucoma is characterized by optic nerve damage which results in vision loss, and elevated eye pressure (intraocular pressure) is the primary risk factor. There is growing evidence that other factors may predispose a person to glaucoma damage, including circulation to the eye and optic nerve.
The causes for elevated eye pressures are only partially known. In some individuals, a specific cause can be identified. High eye pressure is always related to some increased resistance or obstruction of the normal outflow of fluid inside the eye. Inside the eye, fluid is constantly being manufactured and has to drain from inside the eye. The pressure will only elevate if the drainage system in the eye is somehow not functioning properly. With injury or trauma, for example, the drainage system can be blocked in the eye, hopefully only temporarily. However, in most individuals with elevated eye pressure and glaucoma, the drainage system appears normal but is not functioning properly.