|
|
Open-angle glaucoma.(Causes and Treatment)(Disease/Disorder overview)
- Article from:
- Clinical Reference Systems
- Article date:
- January 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
What is open-angle glaucoma?
Open-angle glaucoma is the more common of two main types of glaucoma in the US. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve) is damaged. Usually, high pressure inside the eye causes the damage. Sometimes, you can have glaucoma even though your eye pressure is normal.
Eye pressure builds up when fluid that normally flows out of the eye flows out too slowly. In open-angle glaucoma, the pressure increases slowly even though the drainage channel for the fluid is open. Without treatment, the eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss or blindness.
How ...