Focus on Glaucoma Research

Book excerpt: Glaucoma is a group of disorders characterised by an abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. Glaucoma occurs in several forms: chronic open-angle (primary), acute angle-closure, congenital (inherited as an autosomal recessive trait), and secondary to other causes. Chronic open-ended glaucoma constitutes about 90% of the instances of glaucoma and is frequently familial in nature. Congenital glaucoma can be triggered by varicella, mumps, parvovirus, HIV and herpes among others. Secondary glaucoma can result from trauma and drugs such as steroids. This new book includes within its scope the prevention, pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. International research efforts are reported.