Open-angle glaucoma

Background

  • Elevated intraocular pressure and resulting optic nerve damage manifested initially as visual field loss and ultimately irreversible blindness if left untreated
  • Unclear pathogenesis, however thought to be related to two mechanisms:
    • Increased aqueous production
    • Decreased outflow

Clinical Features

  • Rarely experience symptoms, in contrast to acute angle closure glaucoma
  • Typical pattern characterized by progressive peripheral visual field loss followed by central field loss, usually but not always associated with elevated intraocular pressure

Differential Diagnosis

Acute Vision Loss (Noninflamed)

Emergent Diagnosis

Evaluation

Workup

Diagnosis

  • Characteristic nerve damage (eg, cupping) on fundus examination
  • Visual field abnormalities
  • +/- elevated IOP

Management

Disposition

See Also

External Links

References