General—an optic neuropathy that leads to death of optic nerve tissue; decrease in peripheral vision

Clinical—progressive disease of the optic nerve with an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic disc cupping

Mechanism—impaired outflow of aqueous humor results in increased IOP (” class=LK href=”javascript:void(0)” target=right xpath=”/CT{06b9ee1beed59419a81e5e1e1a4f60b0cc8cd1057525de73425b2b43f4df7f1bcfb4c1af3e27e08eb9dd4712526cc1cb}/ID(AB1-M10)”>>21 mm Hg); gradually, optic nerve cells die leading to enlargement of the optic nerve cup (cup-to-disc ” class=LK href=”javascript:void(0)” target=right xpath=”/CT{06b9ee1beed59419a81e5e1e1a4f60b0cc8cd1057525de73425b2b43f4df7f1bcfb4c1af3e27e08eb9dd4712526cc1cb}/ID(AB1-M10)”>>0.5)

Epidemiology—3% of those aged older than 55 years in the United States have glaucoma; ” class=LK href=”javascript:void(0)” target=right xpath=”/CT{06b9ee1beed59419a81e5e1e1a4f60b0cc8cd1057525de73425b2b43f4df7f1bcfb4c1af3e27e08eb9dd4712526cc1cb}/ID(AB1-M10)”>>90% of cases are open angle

Risk factors—old age, African American, family history, increased IOP, topical eye steroids

Diagnostic algorithm—those with risk factors or clinical findings should go to ophthalmology

Nonpharmacologic management

Pharmacologic management