CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF GLAUCOMA: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness in the world, behind only cataracts. The difference between the two is the fact that cataracts can be surgically reversible, while glaucoma is irreversible, drastically affecting the patient's quality of life. This condition is best defined in ophthalmology as a group of neurodegenerative diseases of multifactorial origin, which have in common the progressive damage to the optic nerve and the corresponding visual field. It is important, therefore, to emphasize that high intraocular pressure is not synonymous with glaucoma, but rather a modifiable risk factor present in many cases, and therefore a target for controlling the disease. Considering the multifactorial origin and high prevalence of glaucoma, its study is extremely important in order to unravel its different aspects. Therefore, this narrative literature review brought together articles from the main databases aiming to describe and point out the main signs and symptoms associated with the types of glaucoma.