Primary and secondary angle-closure glaucomas

Abstract

Almost 70 million cases of glaucoma have been diagnosed worldwide, approximately half of which are classified as angle-closure glaucoma (ACG).1 Lowe, in 1955, emphasized the study of the anterior chamber angle facilitating the early classification of angle-closure glaucoma.2 Among patients with angle closure, primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) is the most common diagnosis. PACG is more common in Asians than in any other ethnic group.3 PACG, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) are collectively a major cause of bilateral blindness worldwide, and responsible for more than 90% of the bilateral blindness in China.4 It is estimated that by the year 2020, there will be approximately 21 million of cases of PACG, with more than 5.3 million bilaterally blind individuals as a result of angle closure.5 © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.