Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterised by cupping of the optic nerve head and visual-field damage. It is the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Progression usually stops if the intraocular pressure is lowered by 30–50% from baseline. Its worldwide age-standardised prevalence in the population aged 40 years or older is about 3·5%. Chronic forms of glaucoma are painless and symptomatic visual-field defects occur late. Early detection by ophthalmological examination is mandatory. Risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma—the most common form of glaucoma—include older age, elevated intraocular pressure, sub-Saharan African ethnic origin, positive family history, and high myopia. Older age, hyperopia, and east Asian ethnic origin are the main risk factors for primary angle-closure glaucoma. Glaucoma is diagnosed using ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and perimetry. Treatment to lower intraocular pressure is based on topical drugs, laser therapy, and surgical intervention if other therapeutic modalities fail to prevent progression.

青光眼是一组异质性疾病，其特征是视神经乳头凹陷和视野受损。它是世界范围内不可逆失​​明的最常见原因。如果眼压比基线降低30–50％，进展通常会停止。在全世界40岁以上的人群中，其年龄标准化的患病率约为3·5％。慢性形式的青光眼无痛，症状性视野缺损较晚发生。必须通过眼科检查及早发现。原发性开角型青光眼（最常见的青光眼形式）的危险因素包括老年，高眼压，撒哈拉以南非洲种族血统，积极的家族病史和高度近视。老年人，远视和东亚族裔是原发性闭角型青光眼的主要危险因素。青光眼可通过检眼镜，眼压计和视野检查法进行诊断。降低眼内压的治疗方法是基于局部用药，激光治疗和手术干预（如果其他治疗方式无法预防进展）。