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What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, which carries visual messages from the eye to the brain. It is often linked to raised pressure inside the eye, although glaucoma can also happen when eye pressure is normal.
The condition usually develops slowly and may not cause symptoms at first. Because of this, many people do not realise they have glaucoma until some vision has already been lost.
Why glaucoma matters
Glaucoma can cause permanent sight loss if it is not diagnosed and treated early. Any vision that is lost cannot usually be restored, which is why regular eye tests are so important.
In the UK, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Early treatment can help slow or stop further damage, so prompt care makes a real difference.
Common types of glaucoma
The most common type is primary open-angle glaucoma. It develops gradually and often affects the side vision first, which can make it difficult to notice in everyday life.
Another type is angle-closure glaucoma, which is less common but more urgent. It can cause a sudden rise in eye pressure and may lead to severe symptoms that need immediate medical attention.
Symptoms to look out for
Open-angle glaucoma usually has no symptoms in its early stages. Over time, a person may notice patchy side vision or difficulty seeing objects from the edges of their visual field.
Angle-closure glaucoma can cause eye pain, headache, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, or redness in the eye. If these symptoms happen suddenly, it is important to seek urgent help.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but the risk increases with age. People over 40 should have regular eye examinations, and the risk is higher again after 60.
Other risk factors include a family history of glaucoma, African, Caribbean or Asian background, very short or long sight, diabetes, and previous eye injury. Long-term steroid use may also increase the chance of developing the condition.
How glaucoma is diagnosed and treated
Glaucoma is usually found during a routine eye test. An optometrist may check eye pressure, examine the optic nerve, and carry out visual field tests to look for damage.
Treatment often includes eye drops to lower pressure inside the eye. Some people may need laser treatment or surgery, depending on the type of glaucoma and how advanced it is.
When to get help
If you have sudden eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, or see halos around lights, seek urgent medical advice straight away. These may be signs of angle-closure glaucoma or another serious eye problem.
Even without symptoms, it is wise to have regular sight tests. Early detection gives the best chance of protecting your vision for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Glaucoma what is glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often linked to increased eye pressure. It can gradually reduce peripheral vision and may lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma is usually caused by problems with fluid drainage in the eye, which can raise pressure and damage the optic nerve. Other risks include age, family history, diabetes, and certain medical conditions or medications.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma often has no early symptoms, especially in the most common type. When symptoms do appear, they may include gradual loss of side vision, blurred vision, eye pain, headache, or halos around lights.
An eye doctor diagnoses glaucoma what is glaucoma using tests such as eye pressure measurement, optic nerve examination, visual field testing, and sometimes imaging of the optic nerve. Regular eye exams are important because early glaucoma may not cause noticeable symptoms.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma includes open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. Each type affects the eye differently, but all can damage the optic nerve.
People at higher risk for glaucoma what is glaucoma include adults over 60, those with a family history of glaucoma, people of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent in some forms, and people with diabetes, high eye pressure, or thin corneas. Long-term steroid use can also increase risk.
Yes, glaucoma what is glaucoma can cause permanent blindness if it is not detected and treated in time. Vision loss from glaucoma usually starts gradually and cannot be reversed, so early treatment is important.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma is commonly treated with prescription eye drops, laser procedures, or surgery to lower eye pressure. The goal is to slow or stop further optic nerve damage, not to restore lost vision.
For many people, eye drops can help control glaucoma what is glaucoma by lowering eye pressure. Some people may need additional laser treatment or surgery if drops do not lower pressure enough or are not tolerated.
Open-angle glaucoma what is glaucoma usually develops slowly and often has no early symptoms, while angle-closure glaucoma what is glaucoma can happen suddenly and is a medical emergency. Angle closure may cause severe eye pain, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
No, vision loss from glaucoma what is glaucoma is generally permanent because damaged optic nerve tissue cannot be restored. Treatment focuses on preventing additional damage and preserving the remaining vision.
How often someone should be checked for glaucoma what is glaucoma depends on age, risk factors, and eye health history. Many adults should have regular comprehensive eye exams, and people at higher risk may need more frequent screening.
Yes, children can get glaucoma what is glaucoma, although it is less common than in adults. Childhood glaucoma may be present at birth or develop later and often requires prompt treatment to protect vision.
No, glaucoma what is glaucoma does not always involve high eye pressure. Some people develop normal-tension glaucoma, where the optic nerve is damaged even though measured eye pressure is in the normal range.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma cannot always be prevented, but early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of severe vision loss. Regular eye exams, especially for people at higher risk, are the best preventive step.
People with glaucoma what is glaucoma may benefit from taking medicines exactly as prescribed, exercising safely as advised by their doctor, and attending regular follow-up visits. Healthy habits support overall eye health, but they do not replace medical treatment.
Surgery for glaucoma what is glaucoma aims to improve fluid drainage or lower eye pressure through procedures such as trabeculectomy, tube shunts, or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. The exact recovery and results depend on the procedure and the individual eye.
Yes, some medications, especially steroid eye drops, steroid pills, inhalers, or skin creams used long term, can raise eye pressure and contribute to glaucoma what is glaucoma in some people. People using steroids should have their eyes monitored if their doctor recommends it.
Glaucoma what is glaucoma is monitored with repeat eye pressure checks, optic nerve imaging, and visual field tests over time. These follow-up visits help the doctor see whether the disease is stable or getting worse.
Someone should seek urgent care for glaucoma what is glaucoma symptoms if they have sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or halos around lights. These can be signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma and need immediate treatment.
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