Chronic Glaucomatous Ocular Hypertension

PERSONS who present ocular hypertension following iritis, traumatism or tumour may have hard eyes and increased intraocular tension without necessarily being glaucomatous. While certain cases of this kind may be benefited by decompressive treatment, it is necessary to distinguish such conditions from true glaucoma and to define the signs of this affection, which illuminate its pathogeny and thus serve to direct its treatment. (a) In glaucoma, ocular hypertension is an essential diagnostic sign, but one not exclusively peculiar to glaucoma. In the latter, the characteristic condition is not hypertension in itself, but the manner in which it occurs. Hypertension assumes a particular type in each of the several forms of glaucoma (prodromal glaucoma, chronic glaucoma with intermittent hypertension, chronic glaucoma with constant hypertension, irritative glaucoma, or acute glaucoma). In prodromal glaucoma, ocular hypertension is of low degree. Subjectively, it is indicated by the appearance of a foggy or smoky veiling or by coloured arcs. Objectively, it presents pupillary