It is a condition that cause damage to the optic nerve, which transmits information from the eye to the brain. It usually (but not always) is associated with high intraocular pressure (IOP). Left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness.
There are usually no symptoms that you're developing glaucoma until vision loss occurs, which is why it's so important to have regular eye checkup. Your eye doctor can detect and treat high IOP before it progresses to optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Vision loss from glaucoma cannot be reversed. Routine eye exams are essential to discover glaucoma early and begin glaucoma treatment before significant vision loss has occurred
Glaucoma medications are to be put lifelong to prevent optic nerve damage. If pressure remains uncontrolled by drops then anti glaucoma surgery ( trabeculectomy )will be done. If iop is well controlled and there is no progression of optic nerve damage after surgery,then medications can be stopped.
The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, is hereditary. If members of your immediate family have glaucoma, you are at a much higher risk than the rest of the population.
The frequency and the composition of follow-up evaluation depend on the age of the patient, the level of elevation of IOP, the appearance of optic nerve head cupping, a family history of glaucoma, the presence of additional risk factors, and the stability of the patient's clinical course. IN general and depending on the patient's risk factors, check IOP every 3-12 months.
The passages that normally allow fluid within your eye to drain become clogged or blocked. Fluid within your eye then builds up and increases pressure on the optic nerve. The nerve fibers and blood vessels in the optic nerve are easily damaged by this pressure, resulting in vision loss.
An injury, infection or tumor in and around the eye ,matured cataract can increase the intraocular pressure.
Unfortunately, any vision loss due to glaucoma usually cannot be restored. This is why regular preventive eye examinations are so important. Low-vision rehabilitation services, which include the use of specialized optical devices and training, may benefit people with severe vision loss from glaucoma.
The optic nerve, at the back of the eye, carries visual information to the brain. As the optic nerve fibers are damaged, the amount and quality of information sent to the brain decreases and a loss of vision occurs.
If diagnosed at an early stage, glaucoma can often be controlled with little or no further vision loss. If left untreated, first peripheral vision and then central vision will be affected, and blindness may result.