GLAUCOMA is a disease that results in damage to your optic nerve. In open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease, the optic nerve gradually deteriorates over time, resulting in irreversible vision loss.  It typically starts with painless loss of peripheral vision and occurs so slowly, that many who have open-angle glaucoma do not realize it until it is very advanced.  Narrow angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage system inside the eye closes and causes a rapid increase in eye pressure, resulting in sudden and irreversible vision loss, as well as pain and headache. Some risk factors for developing glaucoma include elevated eye pressure, family history of glaucoma, extreme near-sightedness or far-sightedness, diabetes, eye injuries, and migraines.

Symptoms

• For open-angle glaucoma (more common), gradual, painless loss of peripheral vision which can eventually affect the central vision and lead to blindness
• For narrow-angle glaucoma (less common), eye pain and/or headache usually associated with blurred vision, light sensitivity, nausea/vomiting

Treatment

• Medication
• Laser treatment
• Surgery