Glaucoma: A Disease You Can’t See Coming

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. This damage can lead to vision loss and blindness.

There are many types of glaucoma, but the most common are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

• Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the fluid inside the eye (aqueous humor) does not drain properly. This causes the pressure inside the eye to rise, which can damage the optic nerve.
• Angle-closure glaucoma is a less common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) blocks the drainage angle, which is the area where the aqueous humor drains out of the eye. This causes the pressure inside the eye to rise suddenly, which can lead to severe pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease, which means that the damage to the optic nerve gets worse over time. If glaucoma is not treated, it can lead to blindness.

There is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be controlled with medication, surgery, or both. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent vision loss.

Here are some of the risk factors for glaucoma:

• Age: Glaucoma is more common in people over the age of 60.
• Family history: If you have a family history of glaucoma, you are more likely to develop it.
• Race: Glaucoma is more common in people of African descent.
• High eye pressure: High eye pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma.
• Thin cornea: A thin cornea can increase the risk of glaucoma.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop glaucoma.
• Other eye diseases: Certain other eye diseases, such as previous eye injury or inflammation, can increase the risk of glaucoma.

If you have any of the risk factors for glaucoma, it is important to have regular eye exams. Early detection and treatment are essential for preventing vision loss from glaucoma.

Here are some of the symptoms of glaucoma:

• Blurred vision
• Tunnel vision (loss of peripheral vision)
• Seeing halos around lights
• Eye pain
• Redness in the eye
• Nausea and vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see an eye doctor right away. Glaucoma is a serious disease, but it can be treated if it is caught early.