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The epidemiology and control of open angle glaucoma: a population-based perspective
1Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Annual Review of Public Health
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of vision loss in the US. Its exact causes remain unknown, highlighting a critical gap in understanding this optic nerve disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) encompasses diverse conditions causing optic nerve damage and vision loss.
- Glaucoma is categorized into primary and secondary forms, with secondary causes including uveitis, trauma, and developmental angle disorders.
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) represents the majority of glaucoma cases in the US.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- To highlight the unknown etiology of POAG as a significant public health concern.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature on POAG.
- Focus is placed on POAG due to its high prevalence in the US population.
Main Results:
- POAG is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States.
- The specific causes and mechanisms underlying POAG are currently unknown.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the etiology of POAG is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the unknown causes of primary open-angle glaucoma.