Glaucoma

Glaucoma animation:

Glaucoma results in increased pressure in the eye. This pressure can eventually damage the optic nerve resulting in impaired vision or blindness. Watch the animation to learn more


Glaucoma damages the eye's optic nerve. It is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.

People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include

African Americans over age 40
People over age 60, especially Mexican Americans
People with a family history of glaucoma
Early treatment can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Treatments usually include prescription eyedrops and/or surgery.




Symptoms
Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, has no symptoms at first. The pressure in the eye builds up gradually. At some point, side vision (peripheral vision) is lost and without treatment, total blindness will occur.


Acute closed-angle glaucoma results when the normal flow of eye fluid (aqueous humor) between the iris and the lens becomes suddenly blocked. Symptoms may include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and seeing a rainbow halo around lights. Acute closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately or blindness could result in one or two days.


Chronic closed-angle glaucoma progresses more slowly and can produce damage without symptoms, similar to open-angle glaucoma.


Low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma occurs in people with normal eye pressure who have optic nerve damage and experience narrowed side vision. Lowering eye pressure at least 30 percent through medicines slows the disease in some people. Glaucoma may worsen in others despite low pressures. A comprehensive medical history is important in identifying other potential risk factors, such as low blood pressure, that contribute to low-tension glaucoma. If no risk factors are identified, the treatment options for low-tension glaucoma are the same as for open-angle glaucoma.


Secondary glaucoma occurs as the result of some other medical problem, such as inflammation, a tumor, or eye injury.


Congenital glaucoma is a condition where babies are born with defects that prevent the normal drainage of fluid from the eye.


Juvenile glaucoma has been used to describe open-angle glaucoma in children, adolescents and young adults.


Pigmentary glaucoma is a rare form of the disease where pigment granules from the iris flake off into the aqueous humor (eye fluid) and then clog the eye drainage system (trabecular meshwork).


Pseudoexfoliation syndrome occurs when outer layers of the lens flake off and block normal flow of the aqueous humor.


Irido-corneal-endothelial syndrome (ICE) consists of a number of features, including the loss of cells from the cornea, which break off and block the drainage channels in the eye, resulting in increased eye pressure. There also may be scarring that connects the iris to the cornea.


Neovascular glaucoma results from abnormal blood vessel growth that blocks the fluid drainage channels of the eye, resulting in increased eye pressure. Low blood supply to the eye as a result of diabetes, insufficient flow of blood to the head due to blocked arteries in the neck, or blockage of blood vessels in the back of the eye can cause the abnormal blood vessel growth.