Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause vision loss. The increase in pressure happens when the passages that normally allow fluid in your eyes to drain become clogged or blocked. The reasons that the passages become blocked are not known.

Noticeable symptoms of glaucoma may be a gradual loss of side vision (above) or blurred vision (below).

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. It most often occurs in people over age 40. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, and those who are very nearsighted or diabetic are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms. A rarer type occurs rapidly and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of side vision, seeing colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes.

Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends annual eye examinations for people at risk for glaucoma (your doctor may, depending on your condition, recommend more frequent examinations). A comprehensive optometric examination will include a tonometry test to measure the pressure in your eyes; an examination of the inside of your eyes and optic nerves; and a visual field test to check for changes in central and side vision.

The treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops and medicines to lower the pressure in your eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.

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Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are able to damage the nerves in the back of your eye which will result in vision loss (your side, or peripheral, vision usually will be affected first) and eventual blindness. This class of diseases is often, but not always, characterized by a high pressure in the eyes. With early detection and treatment, you and your Optometrist can protect your eyes against devastating vision loss.

Appropriate Glaucoma treatment involves accurately measuring the pressure in your eyes. This pressure is most often independent of your blood pressure. The pressure in your eye can be measured with many tools including the Non-Contact Tonometer (nicknamed AirPuff) or the Goldmann Tonometer. Your Optometrist will be able to determine which method of measurement is best for you.

Another important method used to detect Glaucoma is yearly dilated exams. By dilating your eyes, your Optometrist will be able to more accurately evaluate the nerve tissue in the back of your eye and determine if you have signs of Glaucoma. Remember, a high eye pressure is not the only indicator of Glaucoma.

Yet another tool used to detect Glaucoma is a visual field. A visual field test is one in which you will place your head in a large machine and click a remote control whenever you see a light in your side vision. This test will help your Optometrist determine if you have already had nerve damage and whether you will require treatment or not.