Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Dr. Shan Lin, Director of Glaucoma Service and Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at UCSF explains that in most cases, it is an insidious disease in which high eye pressure leads to damage of the optic nerve, and possible blindness in the later stages. There are two basic forms of glaucoma—the closed angle type versus the open angle type. Different racial groups have different susceptibility to each type. Treatments include eye drops, laser, and surgery. Recorded on 10/14/2014. (#28875)