Glaucoma Facts

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. The two main types of glaucoma are primary open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Causes

• Elevated pressure in the eye is thought to be the cause of glaucoma. This pressure is believed to be caused by a buildup of fluid found in the front of the eye called aqueous humor.

Symptoms

• Primary open-angle glaucoma symptoms may include a loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision. Symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma may include eye pain, blurred vision, nausea and/or vomiting, eye redness and seeing halos around lights.

Diagnosis

• An eye doctor can conduct tests to determine the presence of glaucoma. These tests allow the doctor to measure pressure in the eye, examine the optic nerve, check the visual field and determine the fluid drainage angle in the eye.

Treatment

• While there is no cure for glaucoma, once it is detected treatments are available that can prevent further vision loss. These treatments may include medicated eye drops, oral medications and, in some cases, surgery.

Prevention

• Because symptoms of glaucoma may not be present until the disease has damaged the optic nerve, early detection is key. Regular eye checkups are advised every two years for people ages 18 to 60 and annually after the age of 60.