Chronic open-angle glaucoma is a type of glaucoma, a group of diseases that affect the eyes and can result in blindness if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Chronic open-angle glaucoma develops slowly over a period of years and is the most common type of glaucoma. In contrast, acute-closed-angle glaucoma, is far less common and develops suddenly.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma is due to gradually increasing pressure inside the eye (increased intraocular pressure). Increased intraocular pressure results from a malfunctioning channel (drainage angle) in the eye. A malfunctioning drainage angle does not allow the clear fluid inside the eye to drain properly. The buildup of pressure inside the eye can eventually damage the optic nerve leading to permanent vision loss and eventually blindness. There may be no symptoms in early stages of chronic open-angle glaucoma, but without treatment, the damage to the optic nerve results in blind spots, which progressively become bigger until blindness occurs. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of chronic open-angle glaucoma.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma can affect anyone, but some factors contribute to the risk of developing the condition. These include a family history of diabetes or glaucoma or being nearsighted or being over age 60. People of African ancestry who are over the age of 40 years are also at risk for developing chronic open-angle glaucoma.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma is diagnosed through a combination of taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and an eye examination by an ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in eye care. The eye examination can include a variety of tests. These include a visual acuity test to check the sharpness of vision. A visual acuity test involves reading an eye chart located at a specific distance across the room.
A visual field test checks sight on the peripheral (side) areas of vision. A tonometry test that measures pressure inside the eye is performed using an instrument called a tonometer. The ophthalmologist will also use eye drops to enlarge the pupil of the eye so that he or she can look directly into the eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope and see the retina and optic nerve.
A gonioscopy test may also be done. In this test a special lens is placed on the eye to examine the channel in the eye that drains eye fluid to see if it has become blocked or has other abnormal changes.
Because there are often no symptoms in early stages of chronic open-angle glaucoma, a diagnosis is often delayed or missed. In addition, symptoms of chronic open-angle glaucoma can be similar to symptoms of other diseases or conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis and diseases and conditions that can mimic chronic open-angle glaucoma, refer to misdiagnosis of chronic open-angle glaucoma.
Treatment of chronic open-angle can include medication, laser surgery or other surgical procedures. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma. ...more »
Primary open angle glaucoma: POAG is characterized by increase in the intraocular pressure due to trabecular blockage. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Primary open angle glaucoma is available below.
There are generally no symptoms in the earliest phases of chronic open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma. As pressure builds up inside the eye (increased intraocular pressure), it gradually damages the optic nerve. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, this can lead the development of blind spots, especially in the peripheral areas (side areas) of vision. If left ...more symptoms »
The first step in the treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma is the prevention of progression of the disease and permanent serious complications, such as blindness. Prevention includes seeking regular eye care for life. This can help detect chronic open-angle glaucoma in early stages before symptoms appear.
Any damage to the optic nerve due to chronic open ...more treatments »
Symptoms of chronic open-angle glaucoma can be similar to symptoms of other diseases or conditions, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and stroke.
In addition, because most people have no symptoms of chronic open-angle glaucoma in the early stages, a diagnosis is easy to miss or delay. Chronic open-angle glaucoma can be ...more misdiagnosis »
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