LaserVision

What is Open-Angle Glaucoma?

Open angle glaucoma (OAG) is a complicated disease / group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve transfers visual information from the eye to the brain and if it’s damaged, it can result in sight loss and even blindness. It usually occurs when the intraocular pressure is higher than normal but may also occur with a normal pressure (normal tension glaucoma), and there are signs of damage to the eye and optic nerve with a corresponding loss of visual field. The drainage angle between the iris and cornea remains open and unobstructed.

Open-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms

What are the Symptoms?

  • May be silent / asymptomatic
  • Misty or blurry patches in their vision, particularly if they close one eye.
  • Visual field loss - when at an advanced stage
  • Eye pain
  • Rapid reduction in vision

What are the Causes?

Anyone can develop open angle glaucoma, but some have a greater risk including: those with family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma, people who have diabetes or high blood pressure, people over the age 40, African-Americans and Hispanics, people who are very myopic (nearsighted), people who take long-term steroid medications and those with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) or pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF).

Causes
Causes

What are the Causes?

Anyone can develop open angle glaucoma, but some have a greater risk including: those with family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma, people who have diabetes or high blood pressure, people over the age 40, African-Americans and Hispanics, people who are very myopic (nearsighted), people who take long-term steroid medications and those with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) or pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF).

Open-Angle Glaucoma Diagnosis

What is the Diagnosis?

Open angle glaucoma is diagnosed by measuring the intraocular pressure using a Goldman applanation tonometer in conjunction with measurement of the central corneal thickness. It is the presence of an elevated intraocular pressure (or normal pressure in normal tension glaucoma) in conjunction with damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss. The visual field is assessed using a Humphrey Visual Field Analyser and the optic nerve via OCT and RNFL assessments.

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