[Glaucomatous optic neuropathy].

Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is the major component in the pathogenesis of all forms of glaucoma. The author describes the anatomy and blood supply to the optic nerve head, the pathohistologic changes in the optic nerve, pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and the treatment philosophy. The author claims that the existence of numerous little known insufficiently verified methods of therapy of this disease necessitates multicenter controlled studies for evaluation of the efficacy of the treatments.