Sympathetic context of the disease - a new era in glaucoma management

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy, which progresses in a chronic manner. Several etiological factors are involved, including genetic factors, race, age, IOP or vascular, systemic factors. IOP has an established role in the initiation and evolution of glaucoma, but its interactions with additional risk factors are complex. We propose the notion of the Glaucoma Etiological Area (GEA), as a representation of all the elements acting in collaboration in the physiopathology of each glaucoma case. When combined in different proportions, these elements may trigger the typical glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). We know that the statistical values of IOP are valid for normal eyes, but the glaucoma eye is not a normal eye. The notion of GEA can open a new perspective to interpret IOP values and to assess the true value of IOP control as a treatment for glaucoma. Applying the GEA theory allows us to tune the role of IOP. Additional factors, such as ocular properties (RGCL status, CCT, IOP fluctuation curve), ocular comorbidities (PEX, PDS), systemic comorbidities (arterial hypertension, vasospastic diseases such as migraines or Reynaud’s syndrome) or patient’s attitude towards glaucoma management (treatment compliance, access to follow-up and treatment) may greatly influence the evolution of GON and should be viewed holistically when developing a management plan for each patient. Applying the notion of GEA in clinical practice allows a more realistic approach of the pathophysiology of the disease and for a glaucoma treatment that is tailored to each patient. Abbreviations: AG = advanced glaucoma, BP = blood pressure, CCT = central corneal thickness, CIGTS = Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study, CNTGS = Collaborative Normal-Tension Glaucoma Study, EMGT = Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial, GEA = glaucoma etiological area, GON = glaucomatous optic neuropathy, IOP = intraocular pressure, NTG = Normal Tension Glaucoma, OHTS = Ocular Hypertension Study, PDS = Pigmentary dispersion syndrome, PEX = Pseudoexfoliation syndrome, POAG - primary open-angle glaucoma, RGCL = retinal ganglion cell layer, VFL = visual field loss