LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Glaucoma: Open-Angle Glaucoma
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Glaucoma includes a number of disorders that share a degeneration of the optic nerve. In the absence of treatment, this degeneration results in loss of visual field and, ultimately, irreversible blindness. Over 15 million Americans suffer from glaucoma. It is the third most prevalent cause of blindness among white Americans and affects 2% of adults over the age of 40. The prevalence of glaucoma among black Americans is 4-6 times higher than among white Americans, and is the leading cause of blindness within this population. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form of the disease and accounts for half of the total cases.
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Glaucoma tends to be used as a monolithic term, but in fact there are over 50 varieties of glaucoma. The two largest headings are open angle glaucoma and narrow angle glaucoma. But within those categories are numerous sub-groups such as pigmentary g. pseudo-exfoliation g. plateau iris, neovascularg., phacomorphic g., juvenile g., and many others.
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Glaucoma is usually caused by too much fluid pressing on the nerve at the back of the eye. There are many types of glaucoma, but on this page glaucoma is the term given to the 'chronic open angle' or 'primary open angle' or 'chronic simple' glaucoma.
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The primary mode of treatment is topical (eye-drop) corticosteroids, which control the inflammation, perhaps with other glaucoma agents as well. Some patients may develop chronic open angle glaucoma after repeated bouts of the condition.
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Open-Angle Glaucoma