Optometry & Vision Science

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. It is a condition that cause group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. The most common type is open-angle glaucoma with less common types is closed-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over time and there is no pain. Closed-angle glaucoma can present gradually or suddenly may involve severe eye pain, blurred vision, mid-dilated pupil, redness of the eye, and nausea. Vision loss from glaucoma, once it has occurred, is permanent.

Variations of OAG are primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), pigmentary glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, secondary glaucoma and congenital glaucoma.

Variations of closed angle glaucoma are acute angle closure glaucoma, chronic angle closure glaucoma, and neovascular glaucoma.Most of the people not knowing that they have glaucoma. It has no early symptoms or pain.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma affects 2.2 million people in the United States, and the number is increase to 3.3 million by 2020 as the U.S population ages.