From the Guidelines

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and potentially blindness.

Affects the patient's visual and health-related quality of life in many ways, including employment issues, social issues, and loss of independence and activities that require good visual acuity 1
Can lead to negative psychological effects and fear of blindness, emphasizing the need for clear and accessible patient education and support 1
May require management through medication, laser treatment, or surgery, with the goal of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and preventing further damage to the optic nerve

Patients should be educated about the disease process, treatment options, and potential risks and benefits, using clear and accessible language and techniques such as "teach-back" to ensure understanding 1
Ophthalmologists should be sensitive to the emotional and social impacts of glaucoma on patients and provide support and encouragement, potentially including referral to peer-support groups or counseling 1
Patients with limited literacy skills or difficulty administering eye drops may require additional instruction and support, and alternative treatment options such as laser trabeculoplasty or surgery may be considered 1

From the Research

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders characterized by progressive deterioration of the optic nerve that can lead to vision loss 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
It is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy, characterized by damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer, that can lead to permanent loss of peripheral or central vision 3
Glaucoma is a set of irreversible, progressive optic neuropathies that can lead to severe visual field loss and blindness 5

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma 2, 3, 5
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form in the United States 2
Angle-closure glaucoma can occur acutely with pupillary dilation and is an ophthalmologic emergency 2

Risk factors for glaucoma include older age, family history of glaucoma, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypotension, hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and myopia 2
Other important risk factors include nonwhite race, and a family history of glaucoma 3
Systemic medical conditions and medications such as corticosteroids, anticholinergics, certain antidepressants, and topiramate may predispose patients to glaucoma 3

Diagnosis of glaucoma requires careful optic nerve evaluation and functional studies assessing a patient's visual field 5
Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering intraocular pressure, which can be achieved with various classes of glaucoma medications as well as laser and incisional surgical procedures 3, 6
Reduction of intraocular pressure is the only proven method to treat the disease 6