Overview
Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy. The key clinical features of glaucoma are characteristic changes to the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fibre layer, concordant visual field defects and progression over time.
Many other retinal and neurological pathologies may mimic glaucoma making it a diagnosis of exclusion, including ischaemic events and retrograde degeneration secondary to neurological insult. It is important to remember that other causes of RNFL loss must be excluded before a diagnosis of glaucoma can be reached.
This chapter will discuss both primary and secondary glaucoma with case examples to illustrate key features. Also included is a discussion of the key clinical signs of glaucoma. The links below will help you get started in your understanding of this complex topic.