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Open-angle Glaucoma

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition

Open-angle Glaucoma

(Chronic Glaucoma; Primary Open-angle Glaucoma, POAG, Glaucoma)

Definition

Glaucoma is a groups of eye diseases that can damage the eye nerve. Damage to the nerve can lead to poor eyesight and blindness. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type.

Early treatment can improve outcomes.

Glaucoma.

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Causes

Fluid is made inside the eye. Glaucoma is caused by fluid that drains too slowly. This can increase pressure in the eye and damage the eye nerve.

Risk Factors

Open-angle glaucoma is more common in older adults. It is also more common in people of African and Hispanic descent.

Other things that may raise the risk are:

Symptoms

Open angle glaucoma may not have symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms happen, they may be:

  • Problems driving at night
  • Problems seeing things that are close up
  • Reading more slowly than usual

Diagnosis

The eye doctor will ask about symptoms and past health.

An eye exam will be done. Tests will include:

  • Tonometry—to measure eye pressure
  • Visual field test—to see if there is vision loss
  • Imaging of the eye nerve and other parts of the eye—to check for damage
  • Pachymetry—to check the thickness of the cornea (clear dome over the eye)
  • Gonioscopy—to see if fluid channels in the eye are open or closed

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to lower eye pressure. The doctor will watch for changes over time. Options are:

  • Eye drops—to reduce the fluid the eye makes or increase the flow of fluid
  • Laser treatment—to increase the flow of fluid
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)—to drain fluid using stents, bypasses, or implants
  • Other surgery to drain excess fluid from the eye

Eyesight problems can be stressful. Care may include counseling and support groups.

Prevention

There are no guidelines to prevent open-angle glaucoma.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Eye health information for adults 40 to 65. American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye Smart website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/midlife-adults.
  • Eye health information for adults over 65. American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye Smart website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/seniors.
  • Primary open-angle glaucoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/primary-open-angle-glaucoma.
  • What is glaucoma? American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma .
  • What is glaucoma? Glaucoma Research Foundation website. Available at: https://glaucoma.org/learn-about-glaucoma/what-is-glaucoma.
  • 8/9/2017 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/management/surgical-procedures-for-primary-open-angle-glaucoma: Manasses DT, Au L. The new era of glaucoma micro-stent surgery. Ophthalmol Ther. 2016;5(2):135-146.
  • 6/9/2023 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/condition/primary-open-angle-glaucoma: Wang S, Liu Y, et al. Hypothyroidism as a risk factor for open angle glaucoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017;12(10):e0186634.

Contributors

  • Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Last Updated:
2023-06-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.