Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve becomes damaged. The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma can develop gradually and may cause no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why appropriate eye examinations are important.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to conditions that damage the optic nerve, often in association with problems involving the flow and pressure of fluid inside the eye.
Raised eye pressure can increase the risk of optic nerve damage, but glaucoma can also occur when measured eye pressure is within a usual range. A complete eye assessment is therefore more informative than relying on eye pressure alone.
Why can glaucoma be difficult to notice?
Some forms of glaucoma develop slowly and may not cause obvious symptoms until vision has already been affected.
Damage can initially involve peripheral vision, so a person may not notice a change in everyday central vision. Regular assessment can help identify changes earlier.
Who may be at higher risk?
Risk varies between individuals. Factors associated with increased risk include increasing age, a family history of glaucoma, raised eye pressure, certain refractive characteristics, previous eye injury or surgery, long-term steroid use and some medical conditions.
A person's overall risk depends on the combination of factors present, so an eye-care professional can help determine an appropriate assessment and monitoring plan.
How is glaucoma assessed?
Assessment may include measurement of intraocular pressure, examination of the optic nerve, evaluation of the drainage angle, visual field testing and assessment of corneal thickness.
Additional imaging or photographs of the optic nerve may also be used to document findings and monitor changes over time.
How is glaucoma managed?
Management depends on the type and severity of glaucoma and the individual's risk of further damage.
Treatment may include prescribed eye drops, laser procedures or surgery. Monitoring is also an important part of care because glaucoma can change over time.
Glaucoma cannot be diagnosed reliably from eye pressure alone. Diagnosis and monitoring require appropriate clinical assessment.
References
- What is glaucoma? — American Academy of Ophthalmology