Glaucoma

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Glaucoma is associated with eye disorders that result in dangerous increases in eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP). The pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss.

Glaucoma often goes undetected, as pain is usually non-existent. Therefore, you should have regular eye exams by an eye doctor to monitor your IOP and look for any increases, indicating a problem.

The cause of glaucoma is usually a failure of the eye to maintain a good balance between the amount of fluids produced and the amount drained away.

There are two major types of glaucoma:

Primary open-angle glaucoma - gradually reduces your peripheral vision. If your IOP remains high, the deterioration can progress until tunnel vision develops, and you will be able to see only objects that are straight ahead. Prevention and early detection are vital, as a decrease in peripheral vision cannot be treated. If you have mobility issues from irreversible peripheral vision loss, you should consider seeing a low vision specialist for advice about what aids are available.
Narrow-angle glaucoma - produces sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting.

Glaucoma treatment options vary from glaucoma surgery, including lasers, to glaucoma medications like eye drops, depending on the severity of your case.

For more information on glaucoma, treatments and causes, visit AllAboutVision.com's Consumer Guide to Glaucoma.