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Subscribe to Our NewsletterGlaucoma
Open-angle Glaucoma is the most common. The pressure inside the eye rises slowly and destroys vision gradually, starting with side vision.
Closed-angle Glaucoma is less common. Pressure rises suddenly and must be lowered right away to prevent blindness. Severe pain and blurred vision can occur with an acute attack.
Glaucoma is a disease process that causes no pain, but over time, can cause loss of sight. It has been called the thief of sight, because it causes no symptoms while the damage is going on, and by the time a problem is obvious, a great deal of vision has irretrievably been lost. Glaucoma is caused by the fact that the fluid that fills the anterior chamber of eye, the Aqueous Humor, is produced faster than it can be drained off. Because the inside of the eye is enclosed, this causes an increase in pressure inside the eye. The elevated pressure causes damage to the retinal nerves and the blood supply that keeps them alive and healthy. It is not related to blood pressure in any significant way.
Glaucoma is treated by using medications that decrease the rate of production of Aqueous Humor, or increase the outflow rate, or both. In most instances, this provides control over the disease and prevents damage and loss of vision. The fact that it cannot be felt makes it important to have routine eye examinations that monitor, among other things, the pressure inside the eye and the health of the retina in general.