Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

A group of eye conditions that progressively damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information to the brain, are called glaucoma. Glaucoma is often linked to build up of pressure within the eye but can also occur in people with normal eye pressure.

Glaucoma is one of leading causes of vision loss and early detection is crucial to delay or prevent vision loss. Vision loss often starts in periphery and usually has no warning symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. This highlights the importance of regular eye checks with your healthcare professional.

Very rarely people may develop a very painful type of glaucoma with extreme eye pressures and rapid vision loss. This condition is an emergency.
What are the risk factors?

• Advancing age
• People of Asian or African descent
• Family history
• People that are very shortsighted or longsighted
• People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes and prolonged use of steroids
• Previous eye injury

If your glaucoma tests are abnormal your ophthalmologist may recommend treatment which could include eye drops, laser or surgery.