青光眼是世界第二大致盲眼病，可导致永久的视力丢失。[1]Weinreb RN, Khaw PT. Primary open-angle glaucoma. Lancet. 2004;363:1711-1720.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15158634?tool=bestpractice.com 原发性开角型青光眼是最常见的青光眼类型，约占病例的 70%。[2]Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):262-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856963/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16488940?tool=bestpractice.com 一项研究估计，到 2020 年，全球约有 5900 万人会罹患原发性开角型青光眼，其中 590 万人出现双眼失明。[2]Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):262-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856963/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16488940?tool=bestpractice.com 开角型青光眼是黑种人失明的主要不可逆性病因。[2]Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;90(3):262-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856963/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16488940?tool=bestpractice.com[3]American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred practice pattern: primary open-angle glaucoma. November 2015 [internet publication].https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/primary-open-angle-glaucoma-ppp-2015 在美国，大约有 220 万人患有开角型青光眼，非洲裔美国人的患病率是非西班牙裔白人的 3 倍。[3]American Academy of Ophthalmology. Preferred practice pattern: primary open-angle glaucoma. November 2015 [internet publication].https://www.aao.org/preferred-practice-pattern/primary-open-angle-glaucoma-ppp-2015
