Glaucoma. Some practical considerations on a common disease.

Chronic simple glaucoma and acute glaucoma are totally different in pathogenesis, symptoms, and treatment. Chronic simple glaucoma is asymptomatic until late in its course, and only by appropriate screening by primary care physicians can the incidence of irreversible visual loss due to this disease be reduced. The symptoms and signs of acute glaucoma are so characteristic that recognition is usually easy and treatment can be begun early enough to prevent permanent angle damage and secondary glaucoma.