Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma and a worldwide
health concern. It is a chronic and progressive
multifactorial optic neuropathy that consists of a loss of
optic nerve fibers. This nerve fiber loss develops in
the presence of an open anterior chamber angle. The
loss can be observed with the use of a visual field and
measurement of a high IOP. It manifests by cupping
(depression) and forming atrophy on the optic disc.
This type of glaucoma occurs when the eye s drainage canals
become clogged over time, the aqueous fluid builds up
within the anterior chamber. The intraocular eye
pressure rises because the correct amount of fluid is
unable to drain out of the eye. With open angle
glaucoma, the entrances to the drainage canals are clear
and working correctly, but the clogging problem occurs
inside the drainage canals.
