Overview
Glaucoma is not a single disease but a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often linked to increased pressure inside the eye, but glaucoma can also occur when eye pressure is in the normal range. Vision loss from glaucoma is usually permanent, which is why early detection matters.
Key Symptoms
Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, often develops slowly and may not cause noticeable symptoms at first. Over time, side vision can become reduced, and later central vision may be affected. A less common form, angle-closure glaucoma, can cause sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, or vomiting.
Causes and Risk Factors
Glaucoma happens when the optic nerve becomes damaged, often because fluid in the eye does not drain properly and pressure builds up. Risk factors include older age, a family history of glaucoma, African, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino background for some forms of the disease, diabetes, high eye pressure, and long-term use of steroid medicines. Previous eye injury and severe nearsightedness can also raise risk.
Who Is Affected
Glaucoma can affect adults of any age, but it becomes more common as people get older. Some babies and children can also develop glaucoma, although this is less common. Because early disease may be silent, many people do not know they have it until vision has already been affected.
Prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma, but regular comprehensive eye exams can help find it early. Managing long-term health conditions such as diabetes and discussing steroid use with a healthcare professional may also help reduce avoidable risk. Protecting the eyes from injury is important as well.
Diagnosis and Tests
Glaucoma is diagnosed through an eye examination, often by an eye care professional. Tests may include measuring eye pressure, checking the optic nerve, testing side vision, and examining the drainage angle of the eye. Imaging tests may also be used to monitor optic nerve changes over time.
Treatment Categories
Treatment aims to lower eye pressure or reduce further optic nerve damage. Common treatment categories include prescription eye drops, laser treatment, and surgery. Follow-up visits are important because treatment may need adjustment over time, and lost vision usually cannot be restored.
Living With It
Living with glaucoma often means long-term monitoring and ongoing treatment, even when vision seems stable. It can help to keep a routine for medications and appointments, and to tell healthcare professionals about any side effects or trouble using eye drops. If vision changes affect reading, driving, or daily tasks, low-vision services and practical home adjustments may help.
When to Seek Medical Care
Arrange an eye examination if you have gradual changes in side vision, strong risk factors, or a family history of glaucoma. Also seek medical care if you have questions about steroid medicines, previous eye injuries, or trouble following your treatment plan. Prompt evaluation is important because glaucoma damage can continue without obvious symptoms.
When It May Be an Emergency
Seek urgent medical care right away for sudden severe eye pain, sudden blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, vomiting, or sudden vision loss. These symptoms can happen with acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.