Most Common
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
The most common form. Eye pressure is often elevated, which is thought to cause damage to the optic nerve over time. It progresses slowly and without early symptoms.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
More than 90% of glaucoma is open-angle, meaning the eye's drainage system is open and not blocked by other structures. Berg-Feinfield Vision Correction provides expert evaluation and long-term management of open-angle glaucoma, serving Beverly Hills, Burbank, and greater Los Angeles.
What Is Open-Angle Glaucoma?
More than 90% of glaucoma is open-angle, meaning the drainage system is open and not blocked by other structures.
Within this category, the most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma. It is not uncommon for the eye pressure to be elevated, which is thought to cause damage to the optic nerve. However, a person can have glaucoma and damage to the optic nerve despite seemingly low eye pressures.
There are also several secondary glaucomas — such as pseudoexfoliation and pigmentary glaucoma — which are treated very similarly to primary glaucoma.
Learn About Glaucoma
Why Open-Angle Glaucoma Is Called the “Silent Thief of Sight”
Open-angle glaucoma develops gradually and usually causes no early warning signs. Damage can occur before you notice any change at all.
- No pain and no redness in the early stages
- Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision, often unnoticed at first
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Blind spots, especially toward the sides or corners of vision
- Tunnel vision in advanced stages
Vision Lost to Glaucoma Cannot Be Restored
Because damage to the optic nerve is permanent, the goal of care is early detection and lifelong monitoring — catching change before it costs you sight. Regular comprehensive eye exams are the single best protection.
Types of Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma includes a primary form as well as several secondary forms, all of which are managed with similar approaches.
Normal Pressure
Normal-Tension Glaucoma
A person can have glaucoma and optic nerve damage despite seemingly low or normal eye pressures. Pressure readings alone do not tell the whole story, which is why the optic nerve itself must be evaluated.
Secondary
Pseudoexfoliation & Pigmentary
Secondary open-angle glaucomas caused by material or pigment clogging the drainage system. They are treated very similarly to primary open-angle glaucoma.
How We Detect & Monitor It
Because damage can occur even at low eye pressures, we rely on careful, ongoing evaluation of the optic nerve rather than pressure readings alone.
Tonometry
Eye Pressure Check
Measures the pressure inside your eye, tracked over time rather than judged on a single reading.
Pachymetry
Corneal Thickness
Corneal thickness affects how accurate your pressure readings are, so we measure it to interpret them correctly.
Dilated Eye Exam
Optic Nerve Evaluation
Allows us to see the optic nerve directly and check for the characteristic signs of glaucomatous damage.
Visual Field Test
Peripheral Vision Check
Maps your side vision to detect the blind spots that appear early in open-angle glaucoma.
Optic Nerve Imaging (OCT)
High-Resolution Scan
Measures the nerve fiber layer with high precision, spotting thinning before it shows up on a visual field test.
Ongoing
Long-Term Monitoring
Open-angle glaucoma is a lifelong condition. Repeat testing over time reveals whether the disease is stable or progressing.
Treatment of Open-Angle Glaucoma
The goal of treatment is to lower the eye pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage.
Because open-angle glaucoma is a lifelong condition, it is monitored and managed on a regular basis. Depending on your needs, treatment may include pressure-lowering eye drops, laser therapy such as selective laser trabeculoplasty, or surgery. The secondary open-angle glaucomas are treated very similarly to the primary form.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but with consistent treatment and monitoring its progression can be slowed or halted — preserving the vision you have.
Treatment of Open-Angle GlaucomaWhy Choose Berg-Feinfield
Our ophthalmologists evaluate and manage every form of open-angle glaucoma, from primary to secondary types.
Because optic nerve damage can occur even at low eye pressures, we rely on careful, ongoing evaluation rather than pressure readings alone. From early detection through long-term management, our team guides you at every step with the goal of protecting your sight.
Explore Glaucoma CareOpen-angle glaucoma often develops without early warning signs, so regular monitoring is the best way to protect your vision over time.
Our experienced ophthalmologists can help you detect and manage open-angle glaucoma to preserve your sight for the future.
Open-Angle Glaucoma FAQs
Answers to common questions about open-angle glaucoma at Berg-Feinfield.
What is open-angle glaucoma?
Open-angle glaucoma is a form of glaucoma in which the eye's drainage system is open and not blocked by other structures. It accounts for more than 90% of all glaucoma cases.
What is the most common type?
The most common form is primary open-angle glaucoma. Eye pressure is often elevated, which is thought to cause damage to the optic nerve.
Can you have glaucoma with low eye pressure?
Yes. A person can have glaucoma and damage to the optic nerve despite having seemingly low eye pressures — sometimes called normal-tension glaucoma. This is why regular evaluation of the optic nerve itself is important, not just pressure readings.
What are secondary open-angle glaucomas?
There are several secondary glaucomas, such as pseudoexfoliation and pigmentary glaucoma. These are treated very similarly to primary open-angle glaucoma.
What are the symptoms of open-angle glaucoma?
Usually there are no early warning signs. As it progresses, patients may notice gradual loss of peripheral vision, difficulty seeing in low light, blind spots toward the sides, and tunnel vision in advanced stages.
How is open-angle glaucoma treated?
The goal of treatment is to lower the eye pressure. Depending on your needs, this may involve pressure-lowering eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery, along with regular monitoring over time.
Can vision lost to glaucoma be restored?
No. Damage to the optic nerve is permanent, which is why early detection and consistent monitoring are so important. Treatment aims to preserve the vision you still have.
Schedule Your Glaucoma Evaluation
Ready to protect your vision? Request an appointment or call our team to start your personalized open-angle glaucoma evaluation at Berg-Feinfield Vision Correction.