High pressure in the eye leads to optic nerve dysfunction with resulting loss of vision.
Chronic glaucoma (also known as open angle glaucoma) is the most common chronic ophthalmological condition, and also one of the most common causes of treatable blindness in the world.
Chronic glaucoma is optic nerve damage associated with (in most patients) high intraocular pressure, amongst other things. Chronic glaucoma is more likely if there is family history of glaucoma and in patients over 40. The disease usually affects both eyes, and to differing degrees. It is asymptomatic until the last stages of the disease.
Chronic glaucoma treatment depends mainly on the degree of the condition: The first step of the treatment is conservative, by using different drops to decrease the intraocular pressure. There are many different types of drops and different combinations that can be tried. If the medical glaucoma treatment is not enough to keep the disease under control, some patients can benefit from a laser treatment (selective laser trabeculoplasty). If the disease is progressing despite the medical treatments (not all the patients are suitable for laser), the last step is surgical treatment. The operations are varied; the surgeon will decide the best technique for each patient.
