GLAUCOMA RESOURCE CENTRE

---

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible visual loss.  It is often called the "silent thief of sight" because the painless loss of vision usually occurs gradually over a long period of time, and is often only recognized when very advanced.

Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor for developing glaucoma, but it does not have to be present in all cases.  Some people with relatively low intraocular pressures may develop glaucoma, whilst others with much higher pressures never develop optic nerve damage.

Glaucoma is typically classified as being "Open Angle" or "Closed Angle".

Open Angle Glaucoma:

Open angle glaucoma is the main type of glaucoma seen in Caucasians and Afro-Carribeans.  It typically develops in those above 60 years of age, and usually produces no obvious symptoms until advance stages of the disease.

Closed Angle Glaucoma:

Closed angle glaucoma is the main type of glaucoma seen in Asia.  It can appear suddenly and is often painful (known as acute angle closure glaucoma).  Visual loss can progress rapidly, but fortunately, the pain usually brings patients to their doctor early in the course of the disease.  The chronic type (chronic angle closure glaucoma) presents very much like open angle glaucoma, asymptomatic until late in the course of the disease.

There are also secondary forms of glaucoma, meaning that glaucoma develops as a result of some underlying condition (such as uveitis, steroid use, eye injuries), as well as the congenital/developmental/juvenile forms.