glaucoma
n. a common eye disease marked by raised intraocular pressure in one or both eyes and, in uncontrolled glaucoma, severe peripheral visual field loss. Age, myopia, and vascular disease are among the risk factors for glaucoma, and there is a higher incidence of the disease among those of African ancestry than in those of other groups. The acute form causes pain and abrupt reduction of visual acuity, visual blurring, and, if untreated, severe visual impairment. Chronic glaucoma is characterized by progressive visual failure without accompanying pain. See also congenital glaucoma; tunnel vision.