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Glaucoma is a series of eye diseases in which the pressure inside the eye is too high for the optic nerve to handle. Glaucoma usually develops slowly over a period of years, but some rare forms can develop over hours. During this time, most people will NOT experience any symptoms. If left untreated, it can affect the vision and ultimately lead to permanent blindness.

Anatomy of an eye

Causes of Glaucoma
Inside the eyes, a clear fluid, called the aqueous humor, is produced to nourish the structures within the eye. Normally, this fluid leaves the eye through a drainage system called the trabecular meshwork located in the angle of the eye. In glaucoma, this fluid fails to drain at a normal rate and the intraocular pressure (IOP) rises. This damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual images from the eye to the brain. When the nerve cells die, permanent damage occurs.

Types of Glaucoma

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.
This is the most common type of glaucoma. In these cases, the drainage area inside the eye (the angle) changes for unknown reasons. This causes the fluid to drain too slowly out of the eye. As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye gradually rises.

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma .
A rare form of glaucoma where the drainage angle suddenly becomes blocked. As the pressure inside the eye rises, blurred vision, severe pain and occasionally nausea and vomiting can result. This is an ocular emergency. Prompt laser treatment may help resolve this problem.

Other types of Glaucoma
Congenital Glaucoma, chronic angle closure and other types also exist.

Diagnosing Glaucoma
Glaucoma is detected through a complete eye examination. The only way to prevent vision loss is by early detection and early treatment. Typically, the physician will check:

Eye pressure
Appearance of the optic nerve
Visual field examination (periodically)
Gonioscopy – looking at the drainage area of the eye (periodically)
Examination of the nerve fiber layer of the optic nerve (periodically)
Three-dimensional photographs of the optic nerve
Pachymetry – measurement of the corneal thickness

Risk factors for Glaucoma

Race - African Americans and Hispanics
Age - individuals over 40
Diabetics
Family history of glaucoma
High blood pressure
Nearsightedness
Long-term steroid use
Eye injuries

Symptoms
Early on, there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. Over time and without treatment, people with glaucoma will experience a loss of peripheral vision, followed by a loss of central vision. Eventually without treatment, blindness can result.

Treatment
Glaucoma is not cured, but in most cases it can be controlled. The vast majority of people can be treated successfully with eye drops. Since glaucoma is a progressive disease, eye drops may need to be added or changed to maintain control of the pressure in the eyes. Occasionally, laser treatment or surgery needs to be performed. It is critical to use the drops daily as directed, and to have routine follow up eye examinations and testing with your eye doctor.

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Types of Glaucoma

Diagnosing Glaucoma Glaucoma is detected through a complete eye examination. The only way to prevent vision loss is by early detection and early treatment. Typically, the physician will check:

Risk factors for Glaucoma

Symptoms Early on, there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. Over time and without treatment, people with glaucoma will experience a loss of peripheral vision, followed by a loss of central vision. Eventually without treatment, blindness can result.

Diagnosing Glaucoma
Glaucoma is detected through a complete eye examination. The only way to prevent vision loss is by early detection and early treatment. Typically, the physician will check:

Symptoms
Early on, there are no symptoms. Vision stays normal and there is no pain. Over time and without treatment, people with glaucoma will experience a loss of peripheral vision, followed by a loss of central vision. Eventually without treatment, blindness can result.