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Who We Are

The American Glaucoma Society (AGS) is comprised of Glaucoma Specialists dedicated to sharing clinical and scientific information for the benefit of patients, colleagues, fellows and residents. The mission of the American Glaucoma Society is to promote excellence in the care of patients with glaucoma and preserve or enhance vision by supporting glaucoma specialists and scientists through the advancement of education and research. Since it's inception in 1985, the scope of the Society has expanded tremendously, both at home and world-wide.

What We Do

Guided by the core mission of the American Glaucoma Society, the clinicians and scientists of the society strive to provide excellent and comprehensive care to patients with glaucoma in a collaborative manner in the community, academic and industry settings. The AGS provides a collegial atmosphere for its members to exchange insights and ideas, with a common goal of conquering this blinding disease. By diagnosing and treating patients with all forms of glaucoma, the glaucoma specialists provide their clinical observations to the scientists who are dedicated to understanding the disease mechanisms and in turn bringing the bench research to clinical. Together with other health care organizations, the AGS serves as an important patient advocacy force to promote glaucoma awareness among policy makers and the general population. Through those approaches, glaucoma patients receive better care and live a more productive life today.

Our Members

Since the establishment of the Society, the number of members has increased from 13 founding members in 1985 to over 800 today, from 17 countries, including members who are still in glaucoma fellowship training, fellowship trained glaucoma specialists, scientists specializing in glaucoma research and leaders in the glaucoma industry. For all members who have a clinical practice, the minimum requirement is a one-year clinical fellowship in glaucoma after a 3-year residency training in Ophthalmology. The AGS provides an excellent forum to its members through continuing education and other ample opportunities of collegial discussions on better care of the patients.

Public Statements

While glaucoma may develop in individuals with or without elevated eye pressure, reducing the pressure in the eye is the only proven way to stop or slow glaucoma.
Narrow angles are a risk factor for developing acute angle closure glaucoma. This is a form of glaucoma that can lead to vision loss very quickly but regular eye exams can help diagnose narrow angles before glaucoma develops.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and worldwide.
Glaucoma affects all age groups, including infants, children, and the elderly.
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month - Most people with glaucoma are unaware they have it until there is permanent vision loss. For this reason, glaucoma needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
African or Latino ancestry, high eye pressure, and close relatives who have glaucoma increase the risk of developing the most common form of glaucoma.
To prevent glaucoma and to help preserve vision, individuals at risk and those over the age of 40 should have regular, comprehensive eye exams that include careful evaluation of the optic nerve and measurement of the eye pressure.
More support for glaucoma research is needed to prevent and cure glaucoma blindness.
Presenting at the AGS annual meeting? View instructions, location and timing information under Annual Meeting - Presenter Central.