BACKGROUND: Several risk factors have been associated with primary angle closure disease, but their actual role in causation of an individual case is not clear. DESIGN: Concept paper. PARTICIPANTS/SAMPLES: No patient participation. METHODS: The sufficient component cause model is briefly explained in the context of primary angle closure disease. The framework is used to conceptualize the role of individual mechanisms of disease. The possibility of personalized treatment for primary angle closure disease is discussed in this context. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative concepts in disease causality may refine research and treatment in primary angle closure disease. RESULTS: The minimum set of conditions that are sufficient for primary angle closure disease to occur is considered the sufficient component cause model for that individual case. Described risk factors (including genes) as well as currently unknown influences play a role in the model. There may be many such models and all complementary components in any sufficient-cause model must be present for disease to occur. Interruption of any one component in that model can be used for treatment. Pupillary block is likely a component of most such models and may currently be considered a universally necessary component of these models. CONCLUSIONS: The sufficient component cause model can be used as a framework to explain the role of individual mechanisms of causation and treatment of primary angle closure disease. It also aids understanding of the proportion of disease due to specific causes.
BACKGROUND: Several risk factors have been associated with primary angle closure disease, but their actual role in causation of an individual case is not clear. DESIGN: Concept paper. PARTICIPANTS/SAMPLES: No patient participation. METHODS: The sufficient component cause model is briefly explained in the context of primary angle closure disease. The framework is used to conceptualize the role of individual mechanisms of disease. The possibility of personalized treatment for primary angle closure disease is discussed in this context. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative concepts in disease causality may refine research and treatment in primary angle closure disease. RESULTS: The minimum set of conditions that are sufficient for primary angle closure disease to occur is considered the sufficient component cause model for that individual case. Described risk factors (including genes) as well as currently unknown influences play a role in the model. There may be many such models and all complementary components in any sufficient-cause model must be present for disease to occur. Interruption of any one component in that model can be used for treatment. Pupillary block is likely a component of most such models and may currently be considered a universally necessary component of these models. CONCLUSIONS: The sufficient component cause model can be used as a framework to explain the role of individual mechanisms of causation and treatment of primary angle closure disease. It also aids understanding of the proportion of disease due to specific causes.