What is the most common form of glaucoma?

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for approximately 90% of all glaucoma cases. This condition is characterized by a gradual increase in intraocular pressure due to the impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, which does not have any physical blockage that is evident.

One of the significant reasons for the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma is that it often progresses without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, leading many patients to remain unaware of their condition until significant vision loss has occurred. This gradual progression means that individuals may not seek treatment until the disease has advanced, making early detection and regular eye exams crucial.

In contrast, other forms of glaucoma such as angle-closure glaucoma, which occurs due to a blockage of the drainage angle in the eye, and normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal intraocular pressure levels, are less common and have different risk factors and management strategies. Secondary glaucoma also involves increased intraocular pressure due to other diseases or conditions but remains a smaller subset compared to open-angle glaucoma. Thus, the wide recognition and understanding of open-angle glaucoma contribute to its status as the most common form.