Open-angle glaucoma: Tips for earlier detection and treatment selection

Prognosis

Glaucoma progresses insidiously. Peripheral vision is lost first in early stages of the disease and may not even be noticed by the patient. Central vision is spared until late stages of the disease.

Blindness can usually be prevented if glaucoma is detected early and IOP is lowered sufficiently.⁴⁷ Unfortunately a small number of patients may suffer irreversible vision loss even with adequate treatment; they should be referred for low-vision rehabilitation and social services (SOR: C).² In May 2002, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Medicare coverage for these services.⁴⁸ Services offering rehabilitation for those with low-vision: Prevent Blindness America (preventblindness.org), National Federation of the Blind (www.nfb.org), National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (www.loc.gov/nls), and the Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.blindness.org).

Corresponding author
Ahmad A. Aref, BS, 401 East Ontario St, Suite 710, Chicago, IL 60611. E-mail:a-aref@md.northwestern.edu.