Definition

Noun: A chronic eye disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork and the canal of Schlemm. This condition typically progresses slowly, causing gradual and painless damage to the optic nerve, which results in the loss of peripheral (side) vision.

Usage

This is a medical term used specifically in ophthalmology and general healthcare contexts to describe the most common form of glaucoma. - It is used to diagnose and discuss a specific, chronic eye condition. - It is often contrasted with other types, such as angle-closure glaucoma.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma during a routine eye exam.
  • Managing open-angle glaucoma often involves daily prescription eye drops to lower pressure.
  • Early detection of open-angle glaucoma is crucial because vision loss is irreversible.

Advanced Usage

• "Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG)": The most frequent form, where the cause is not attributed to another eye disease.
  • Primary open-angle glaucoma is often hereditary.
• "Secondary open-angle glaucoma": Develops as a result of another condition, such as an injury, inflammation, or medication.
  • The steroid treatment led to a case of secondary open-angle glaucoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Glaucoma (n): The broader disease category characterized by optic nerve damage, often linked to high eye pressure.
• Angle-closure glaucoma (n): A different, often acute type of glaucoma caused by a sudden, physical blockage of the drainage angle in the eye.
• Ocular hypertension (n): Elevated intraocular pressure without detectable optic nerve damage, a key risk factor for developing open-angle glaucoma.

Synonyms

• Chronic glaucoma: Emphasizes its slow, progressive nature.
• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG): The specific, most common subtype.
• Wide-angle glaucoma: A less common synonym referencing the "open" drainage angle.

Related Phrases

• To have/treat/manage open-angle glaucoma: Common collocations describing the state or care of the condition.
  • She has been successfully managing her open-angle glaucoma for years.
• Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma: Phrases used in preventive medicine.
  • Age and family history are major risk factors for open-angle glaucoma.

Noun

1. glaucoma caused by blockage of the canal of Schlemm; produces gradual loss of peripheral vision
   • open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma