👁️ Open-Angle Glaucoma IOP Simulator

Elevated Intraocular Pressure as the Central Risk Factor

Placeholder: high IOP is the main modifiable driver of glaucoma damage.

• 10–21: Normal IOP (mmHg reference range)
• 22–30: Common OAG range (mmHg at diagnosis)
• ~3%: Prevalence (placeholder over age 40)
• Late: Symptom onset (often asymptomatic early)

Why pressure matters

Placeholder: sustained elevated pressure stresses the optic nerve head.

Placeholder: early detection prevents irreversible damage.

Progressive Cupping of the Optic Nerve Head

Placeholder: the cup-to-disc ratio grows year over year under pressure.

• <0.4: Normal cup ratio (placeholder healthy disc)
• >0.6: Glaucomatous ratio (placeholder damage marker)
• Variable: Progression rate (placeholder per patient)
• None: Reversibility (placeholder axon loss is permanent)

Cupping mechanism

Placeholder: axon loss thins the neuroretinal rim over time.

Placeholder: rim thinning precedes measurable field loss.

Visual Field Loss from Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Placeholder: peripheral field loss follows nerve fiber layer thinning.

• Peripheral: First loss area (placeholder arcuate scotoma)
• Perimetry: Detection tool (placeholder standard test)
• Late loss: Central vision (placeholder end-stage)
• 6–12mo: Field test interval (placeholder monitoring)

Field loss pattern

Placeholder: arcuate and nasal step defects appear before central loss.

Placeholder: untreated progression can lead to blindness.

Prostaglandin Analogs — First-Line IOP-Lowering Drops

Placeholder: latanoprost-class drops boost uveoscleral outflow strongly.

• 25–33%: IOP reduction (placeholder typical range)
• Once daily: Dosing (placeholder evening dose)
• ↑ Outflow: Mechanism (placeholder uveoscleral route)
• Iris darkening: Side effect (placeholder cosmetic note)

Mechanism of action

Placeholder: relaxes ciliary muscle to open uveoscleral drainage.

Placeholder: preferred first-line therapy for most patients.

Beta-Blockers — Reducing Aqueous Humor Production

Placeholder: timolol-class drops cut fluid production at the ciliary body.

• 20–25%: IOP reduction (placeholder typical range)
• 1–2x daily: Dosing (placeholder twice daily common)
• ↓ Production: Mechanism (placeholder ciliary epithelium)
• Cardiopulmonary: Caution (placeholder systemic effects)

Mechanism of action

Placeholder: blocks beta receptors to lower aqueous secretion rate.

Placeholder: useful alternative when prostaglandins are contraindicated.