Ophthalmology

Glaucoma and its Management

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Glaucoma is a multifactorial optic neuropathy that affects more than 50 million people and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The role of intra ocular pressure (IOP) has been well documented as a major modifiable risk factor for glaucoma. Additionally, many glaucoma patients have a relatively low IOP, while some healthy individuals have a relatively high IOP. The disorders can be roughly divided into two main categories, open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma. Impaired ocular blood flow regulation in open angle glaucoma as a risk of glaucoma has also been well established, especially over the past two decades. Pathophysiology of glaucoma indicates towards the increased in intraocular pressure which compresses and damages the optic nerve. Once the optic nerve is damaged, it fails to carry visual information to the brain and this result in loss of vision. Glaucoma accounts for over 10 million visits to physicians each year. In terms of Social Security benefits, lost income tax revenues, and health care expenditures, the cost to the U.S. government is estimated to be over $1.5 billion annually.