Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

The broad definition of glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the intraocular pressure becomes too high for the health of the eye. Primary open-angle glaucoma <POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma seen in primary care optometric offices. POAG, also known as chronic open-angle or simple glaucoma, is typically characterized by (1) an lOP greater than 21 mm Hg, <2> an open anterior chamber angle, and (3) glaucomatous cupping and/or visual field loss. POAG is a chronic, slowly progressive disease, and is usually bilateral, although the disorder generally appears in one
eye before the other. POAG is the most prevalent of all glaucomas and affects approximately 1 in 200 of the general population over 40 years of age 10 and accounts for approximately 70% of all adult glaucoma cases. 1 Glaucoma is responsible for roughly 20% of all cases of blindness in the United States, affecting both genders
equally.