What is glacouma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which is a chronic, or long-term, condition that usually affects both eyes.

Glaucoma is often associated with increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). High IOP can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. However, some people can have glaucoma with normal IOP, which is known as normal-tension glaucoma.

Glaucoma typically does not have any early warning signs or symptoms. As the disease progresses, peripheral (side) vision may start to narrow, creating blind spots. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to significant vision loss and even blindness.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:

- Increasing age

- Family history of glaucoma

- Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease

- Nearsightedness (myopia)

- Being of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent

Treatment for glaucoma usually involves lowering IOP with eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, or surgery. The goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to the optic nerve and preserve vision.