Vision Health Library

Glaucoma: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the structure that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Because the condition often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss before a person realizes anything is wrong.

There is currently no cure for glaucoma, and vision already lost to optic nerve damage cannot usually be restored. However, treatment can often slow or stop further progression when the disease is detected early.

What Causes Glaucoma?

Many forms of glaucoma are associated with increased pressure inside the eye. This pressure can rise when the eye's natural fluid does not drain properly.

Over time, elevated pressure can damage the optic nerve. However, glaucoma can also occur even when eye pressure is within what is considered a normal range.

Why Glaucoma Is Often Called a Silent Eye Disease

Glaucoma may progress without pain or obvious changes in vision. Peripheral, or side, vision is often affected before central vision.

Because the brain can compensate for gradual changes, a person may not recognize vision loss until the disease has become more advanced.

This is why routine comprehensive eye examinations are one of the most important tools for detecting glaucoma early.

Common Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of the disease. It typically develops gradually as the eye's drainage system becomes less efficient and pressure may increase over time.

Because symptoms are often absent in the early stages, this type of glaucoma may only be discovered during a routine eye examination.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked and pressure rises rapidly.

Symptoms may include severe eye pain, blurred vision, headache, halos around lights, nausea and vomiting.

A sudden rise in eye pressure can be an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma develops as a result of another eye condition, injury, inflammation, surgery or other cause.

In some cases, glaucoma related to trauma may develop long after the original eye injury.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

In normal-tension glaucoma, optic nerve damage occurs even though measured eye pressure is not unusually high.

The exact reason this occurs is not fully understood, which is another reason glaucoma evaluation involves more than checking pressure alone.

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors may increase the risk.

Age

The likelihood of developing glaucoma increases with age, making routine eye examinations increasingly important as people get older.

Family History

A family history of glaucoma can increase risk. Patients should tell their eye doctor if a parent, sibling or other close relative has been diagnosed with the condition.

Ancestry

Certain populations have a higher risk of particular types of glaucoma. A person's ancestry may be one factor considered when determining how closely eye health should be monitored.

Previous Eye Injury or Surgery

Trauma to the eye can damage its drainage system and may contribute to secondary glaucoma. In some cases, this may occur years after the original injury.

Steroid Use

Prolonged use of certain steroid medications may increase eye pressure in some people and can contribute to glaucoma risk.

Other Medical and Eye Conditions

Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and significant nearsightedness may also be associated with increased glaucoma risk.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

Glaucoma treatment is designed to reduce the risk of additional optic nerve damage.

Treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser procedures or surgery, depending on the type and severity of the disease.

If medication is prescribed, it is important to use it exactly as directed even when vision seems unchanged, because glaucoma often progresses without noticeable symptoms.

Can Glaucoma Be Prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma from developing. The most important goal is preventing or limiting vision loss through early detection and appropriate treatment.

Knowing your risk factors and receiving regular comprehensive eye examinations can help identify glaucoma before significant vision loss occurs.

Why Regular Eye Exams Matter

An eye examination can include several tests used to evaluate glaucoma risk, including measurement of eye pressure, examination of the optic nerve and assessment of peripheral vision.

These tests can reveal changes before a person notices symptoms in everyday life.

At Choice Vision Care & Wellness in Wellington, Florida, Dr. Salvatore DeCanio can evaluate your optic nerves, eye pressure and overall eye health and determine whether additional glaucoma monitoring or treatment is appropriate.