Glaucoma is not a single clinical disease. It is a combination of ocular conditions that result in damage to the optic nerve head and a loss of the visual field. The damage to the optic nerve may be in part due to an abnormal intraocular pressure which can eventually lead to a loss of vision. Most forms of glaucoma follow the classic triad of (1) increased intraocular pressure, (2) optic nerve damage, and (3) a loss of side vision.

It is extremely important for the doctor to evaluate each of the three elements before diagnosing a specific type of glaucoma. Glaucoma can be caused by many different disorders, and it occurs in all races and at all ages. Glaucomatous vision loss is permanent, but with early intervention and prevention, visual loss can be minimized.

	Facts and statistics on glaucoma
	Who is at risk?

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What Is Glaucoma? | Types of Glaucoma | Diagnosing Glaucoma | Treatments | Research & Links | Glaucoma Home

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	URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/clinics/pteduc/glaucoma/whatis.htm Revised: August 2, 2002
	IU Optometry home page: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ Comments: Web Administrator Page design and coding: Terri Greene Copyright © 2002, The Trustees of Indiana University

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in Americans and the number one cause in African Americans. It is believed that there are over 2.3 million Americans with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) of which only half have been diagnosed. Of those 2.3 million Americans with POAG, over 80,000 are legally blind from the disease.

POAG has a higher prevalence in the African American population than in Caucasians. It has been found to have an earlier onset by approximately 10 years, is more aggressive, and is more resistant to treatment. The ratio of glaucoma in African Americans to Caucasians is 4:1.

Glaucoma can be found in all populations and in people of all ages; however, researchers have found several ocular and general risk factors.

The general risk factors include age, race, and family history. Although younger people can develop glaucoma, your risk for developing glaucoma greatly increases after the age of 45. Also, it is believed that someone with a close family history of glaucoma is 3-6 times more likely to develop glaucoma, especially those with a family history of pigmentary glaucoma and juvenile glaucoma. Additionally, glaucoma is not confined to a specific race, but if you are of African American descent, your risk is 4 times higher to develop primary open angle glaucoma. Asians are more prone to develop angle closure glaucoma than open angle glaucoma, and pigmentary glaucoma is more prevalent in the Caucasian population.

Ocular risk factors need to be considered as well. They include increased or asymmetric intraocular pressures, an enlargement of the optic nerve head cup, narrowing of the neuroretinal rim, asymmetry of the cup-to-disc ratio, and myopia.

Other possible risk factors may include patients who have a history of diabetes mellitis, vasospasm, or high blood pressure.