Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve. This damage can lead to vision loss or blindness. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to the brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in the eye. But glaucoma can happen even with typical eye pressure.
Glaucoma can happen at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages.
It’s important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure. If glaucoma is found early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have glaucoma, you’ll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of your life.
Symptoms
Open-angle glaucoma
- No symptoms in early stages.
- Gradually, patchy blind spots in your side vision. Side vision also is called peripheral vision.
- In later stages, difficulty seeing things in your central vision.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
- Bad headache.
- Severe eye pain.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Blurred vision.
- Halos or colored rings around lights.
- Eye redness.
Normal-tension glaucoma
- No symptoms in early stages.
- Gradually, blurred vision.
- In later stages, loss of side vision.
Glaucoma in children
- A dull or cloudy eye (infants).
- Increased blinking (infants).
- Tears without crying (infants).
- Blurred vision.
- Nearsightedness that gets worse.
- Headache.
Pigmentary glaucoma
- Halos around lights.
- Blurred vision with exercise.
- Gradual loss of side vision.
Causes
Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve becomes damaged. As this nerve gradually gets worse, blind spots develop in your vision. For reasons that eye doctors don’t fully understand, this nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.
Raised eye pressure happens as the result of a buildup of fluid that flows throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid, called the aqueous humor, usually drains through a tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. This tissue is called the trabecular meshwork. The cornea is important to vision because it lets light into the eye. When the eye makes too much fluid or the drainage system doesn’t work properly, eye pressure may increase.
Risk Factors
Are you at risk for glaucoma? Those at higher risk include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted. Regular eye exams are especially important for those at higher risk for glaucoma, and may help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.
Regular Eye Exams are Important
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. And among Hispanics in older age groups, the risk of glaucoma is nearly as high as that for African-Americans. Also, siblings of persons diagnosed with glaucoma have a significantly increased risk of having glaucoma․