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Group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Causes pathologic changes in optic disk and defects in field of vision. Two main types: 1. angle-closure glaucoma (drainage canals within eye physically blocked) - sub-types: acute: sudden increase in IOP due to buildup of aqueous humor; chronic: may cause vision damage without symptoms; 2. open-angle glaucoma: drainage system remains open; may cause vision damage without symptoms (most common form of glaucoma). Other types of glaucoma: normal (or low) tension glaucoma (optic nerve damage but IOP is normal); childhood glaucoma; congenital glaucoma; secondary glaucoma (due to structural problem of eye including injury or other conditions). Causes of glaucoma: some have mutation of GLC1A gene (chromosome 1; gene product may be involved in eye pressure regulation); increased risk with elevated IOP, family history, ethnic background (e.g., glaucoma leading to blindness occurs 6-8 times more often in African Americans and Alaska Natives than in whites), and older age; other factors may contribute as people with normal IOP can get vision loss from glaucoma; some with high IOP never develop optic nerve damage. Symptoms include peripheral vision loss, headaches, blurred or foggy vision, difficulty adapting to darkness, halos around lights, severe eye pain, facial pain, pupil non-reactive to light, eye redness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bulging eye.
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