Primary open-angle glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma is a progressive chronic optic neuropathy, typically bilateral, that occurs after the age of 40 years. It is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Primary open-angle glaucoma corresponds to a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cell characterized by an excavation of the optic disc associated with typical visual field defects. Elevated intraocular pressure is the main risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma. Diagnosis and monitoring of primary open-angle glaucoma arebased on both analysis of structural alteration, by clinical examination of optic disc completed by imaging tests (Ocular Coherence Tomography), and functional alterations, by visual field tests. The only effective treatment to slow primary open-angle glaucoma progression is the reduction of the intraocular pressure with anti-glaucomatous eye drops, laser or surgical treatments. (C) 2018 Societe Nationale Francaise de Medecine Interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.