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Open Angle glaucoma occurs, when fluid is draining extremely slow from the anterior chamber. Pressure is slowly rising, nearly always, in both eyes, resulting in optic nerve injury and a slow, progressive vision loss. Loss of vision starts at the visual field edges, and if left untreated eventually spreads to all visual field areas, resulting in blindness. Open angle glaucoma is most prevalent glaucoma form, and is common after age thirty five, but some times it may occur in children. Open angle glaucoma tends to run in families and is most likely to occur in individuals with myopia or diabetes. The condition develops more frequently and can be more severe in black people then in white. Usually, increased eye pressure produces no symptoms. Symptoms in later stages can include vague visual disturbances, mild headaches, and narrowing peripheral vision. Usually, tunnel vision can develop. The condition might not result in any symptoms unless irreversible damages have developed. Generally, diagnosis is based on examining intraocular pressure. Therefore, every regular eye evaluation must include intraocular pressure test. Treatment of open-angle glaucoma may be successful if began early. When vision is significantly impaired, treatment can prevent future deteriorations, but it commonly may not return vision entirely. Medicated eyedrops may keep open-angle glaucoma under control. Usually, the first preferred medicated eyedrops are beta-blockers, including Metipranolol, Levobunolus, Cartelos, Betaxolol, or Timolol, which possibly decreases the eye fluid production. Pilocarpine, which is increasing drainage from the anterior chamber and constricts the pupils, is also beneficial. Other drugs including carbachol, divivefrin, and epinephrine may decrease production of fluid or improve outflows. A carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, including acetazolamide, may be used orally, or dorzolamide may be used in form of eyedrops. If drugs may not keep eye pressure under control, a doctor increases drainage from the anterior chamber with laser therapy to produce iris hole or using operation to cut out the iris part.
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