Open-Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. This disease is the number one cause of blindness. It affects African-Americans more often than any other race. What happens in an eye with open-angle glaucoma is the fluid inside the eye that would normally circulate begins to drain slower than it should resulting in an increase in fluid pressure. The pressure in the eye can rise to the point where nerve damage is done.
Treatment is done to reduce pressure in the eye to stop further damage from occurring.
The optic nerve connects the retina to the brain. Once the pressure behind the eye gets too high it can begin tearing at these delicate nerves causing them to eventually detach causing permanent loss of vision. This type usually requires immediate medical attention. TV Angle-closure glaucoma is usually caused by genetic factors. People who are of Asian origin are at the highest risk of developing this type of glaucoma.