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Angle (Drainage Angle) Drainage area of the eye formed between the cornea and the iris , named for its angular shape, which is why you see the word "angle" in the different glaucoma names. Anisometropia. Condition of the eyes in which they have unequal refractive power. Anterior Chamber.
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People with glaucoma have optic nerve damage from fluid buildup in their eye. Left untreated, this eye pressure can permanently affect vision. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Treatments — including eyedrops, laser treatments and surgeries — can slow down vision loss and save your sight.
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What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
People want to know what the early warning symptoms of glaucoma are. The problem is that for some types of glaucoma, there aren’t any early warning symptoms, and changes to vision can happen gradually, so the symptoms are easy to miss. Because many people with open-angle glaucoma don’t have any noticeable symptoms, it’s very important to have routine eye exams to detect this disease in its earlier stages. Glaucoma damage is irreversible, so you need early detection and treatment to prevent blindness. Closed-angle glaucoma has more severe symptoms that tend to come on suddenly. With any type, you may experience: Eye pain or pressure. Headaches. Rainbow-colored halos around lights. Low vision, blurred vision, narrowed vision (tunnel vision) or blind spots. Nausea and vomiting. Red eyes.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma can occur without any cause, but many factors can affect it. The most important of these factors is intraocular eye pressure. Your eyes produce a fluid called aqueous humor that nourishes them. This liquid flows through your pupil to the front of your eye. In a healthy eye, the fluid leaves through the drainage canals located between your iris and cornea. With glaucoma, the resistance increases in your drainage canals. The fluid has nowhere to go, so it builds up in your eye. This excess fluid puts pressure on your eye. Eventually, this elevated eye pressure can damage your optic nerve and lead to glaucoma. Advertisement
What are risk factors for glaucoma?
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but the risk increases with age. People who are Black and Hispanic are much more likely to get glaucoma than other ethnic groups, and they tend to develop the disease earlier in life. Asian and Inuit populations are also more susceptible to a specific form of glaucoma known as angle-closure glaucoma or closed-angle glaucoma. People with diabetes are twice as likely to get glaucoma. Other risk factors include: Family history of glaucoma. Farsightedness or hyperopia (for closed-angle glaucoma). High blood pressure (hypertension and very low blood pressure (hypotension) Long-term use of corticosteroids. Nearsightedness or myopia (for open-angle glaucoma). Previous eye injury or surgery.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
It’s possible to have glaucoma and not know it. Regular eye exams are important to catch glaucoma or other eye problems. Eye exams can assess optic health and vision loss. To check for glaucoma, an eye doctor may do one or more of these painless tests: Dilated eye exam to widen pupils and view your optic nerve at the back of your eyes. Gonioscopy to examine the angle where your iris and cornea meet. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to look for changes in your optic nerve that may indicate glaucoma. Ocular pressure test (tonometry) to measure eye pressure. Pachymetry to measure corneal thickness. Slit-lamp exam to examine the inside of your eye with a special microscope called a slit lamp. Visual acuity test (eye charts) to check for vision loss. Visual field test (perimetry) to check for changes in peripheral vision (your ability to see things off to the side). Advertisement
How is glaucoma managed or treated?
Untreated glaucoma can lead to the faster development of permanent vision loss or blindness. Treatments can slow down additional vision loss, but they can’t restore lost vision. It’s important to see an eye doctor right away if you have eye pain, severe headaches or vision problems.
What are the complications of glaucoma?
An estimated 1 in 10 people with glaucoma develop some degree of visual impairment. Blindness is less common and affects 5% of people with glaucoma.
Can glaucoma be cured?
No, there’s no cure for glaucoma. However, you can manage symptoms and stop the disease from getting worse.
How can I prevent glaucoma?
Early detection of glaucoma through routine eye exams is the best way to protect eye health and prevent vision loss. Glaucoma testing should occur every: One to three years after age 35 for people at high risk. Two to four years before age 40. One to three years between ages 40 and 54. One to two years between ages 55 to 64. Six months to 12 months after age 65.
What can I expect if I have glaucoma?
Blindness is a rare complication for people with glaucoma, as long as a provider detects it early. However, glaucoma is a chronic and progressive condition that often causes some degree of vision loss over time. The earlier you catch glaucoma and start treatments, the better the odds of saving your vision. Treatments can slow down disease progression and vision loss. If you’re at high risk for glaucoma, you should get regular eye exams.
When should I call the doctor?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience: Blurred or low vision. Halos, eye floaters or flashers. Sudden, severe eye pain or headaches. Sensitivity to light. Vision loss.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider: Why did I get glaucoma? What type of glaucoma do I have? What’s the best treatment for the type of glaucoma I have? Are there any treatment risks or side effects? What lifestyle changes can I make to protect my vision? Should I watch for signs of complications? A note from Cleveland Clinic While there isn’t a cure for glaucoma, treatments can keep eye pressure under control and prevent vision loss. Eye exams can catch the disease early and save your sight. If you’re at high risk for glaucoma, ask your eye doctor how often you need screenings. If you have glaucoma, it’s important to use daily eye drops as prescribed. You can also ask your provider about laser treatments and surgery options. With proper care, you can keep glaucoma from worsening and causing irreversible vision loss or blindness. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/18/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
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Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure.
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