Glaucoma - Outlook

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In any case, factors other than IOP play a role in increasing the chances for progression and vision loss in patients with slightly elevated IOP and normal tension glaucoma:

• Both eyes affected
• Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome. PEX occurs when proteins produced in the eye flake off the outer layer of the lens and collects in the drainage angle.
• Bleeding in a specific region called the peripapillary nerve fiber layer
• Thin corneas. (People who have thick corneas and elevated IOP may only need to be monitored if they have no other risk factor for vision loss.)
• Larger cup-to-optic disc ratio. (The cup of the optic disc is the center portion, which enlarges as nerve damage progresses.)

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Non-eye related factors associated with disease progression include being elderly, African American, female, or having a history of migraines.

Severity of Acute Closed-Angle Glaucoma

Acute closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency; if the high pressure is not reduced within hours, it may permanently damage vision. Anyone who experiences its symptoms should immediately contact an ophthalmologist or go to a hospital emergency room.

Review Date: 03/03/2007
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).