Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often linked to raised eye pressure, and can cause permanent vision loss.

Common symptoms

Gradual peripheral vision loss, patchy blind spots, and in acute cases severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision.

Description

Glaucoma describes several eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the pathway carrying visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage is often associated with raised pressure inside the eye, but glaucoma can also occur at normal pressures.

Most glaucoma develops slowly and without obvious early warning signs. Because early loss often affects side vision first, many people do not notice changes until significant damage has occurred.

Regular eye checks are important for early detection. Treatment aims to lower eye pressure and protect remaining vision, usually with eye drops, and sometimes laser or surgery depending on severity and progression.