EYE CARE AND OPTOMETRY

   Glaucoma Glaucoma, the second leading cause of permanent blindness in the United States, predominantly affects older adults. Glaucoma is not a single disease process but a group of disorders characterized by a progressive optic nerve neuropathy resulting in a characteristic appearance of the optic disc and a specific pattern of an irreversible visual field defect that are associated frequently but not invariably with raised IOP.  It encompasses four main types: primary open-angle and angle-closure, secondary open and angle-closure glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most prevalent type in the US. Glaucoma is characterized by the gradual loss of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve fibers, resulting in a distinct appearance of the optic nerve head and progressive vision impairment, notably peripheral vision loss. POAG often presents without symptoms until advanced stages, highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for early detection. Conversely,...