Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is at an advanced stage. One of the best ways to detect glaucoma is during a routine eye examination.


What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that damages your eye's optic nerve. It gets worse over time. It's often linked to a buildup of pressure inside your eye. Glaucoma tends to run in families. You usually don’t get it until later in life.


What causes Glaucoma?

The fluid inside your eye, called aqueous humor, usually flows out of your eye through a mesh-like channel. If this channel gets blocked, the liquid builds up. Sometimes, experts don’t know what causes this blockage. But it can be inherited, meaning it’s passed from parents to children. Less-common causes of glaucoma include a blunt or chemical injury to your eye, severe eye infection, blocked blood vessels inside your eye, and inflammatory conditions. It’s rare, but eye surgery to correct another condition can sometimes bring it on. It usually affects both eyes, but it may be worse in one than the other.



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Normal vision


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Mild glaucoma


 

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Advanced glaucoma





Glaucoma Risk Factors

It mostly affects adults over 40, but young adults, children, and even infants can have it:
• Are over 40 years old
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Have diabetes
• Have had an injury to your eye or eyes
• Have corneas that are thinner than usual
• Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or sickle cell anaemia
• Higher levels of short sightedne


Because vision loss due to glaucoma can't be recovered, it's important to have regular eye examinations that include measurements of your eye pressure so a diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have the condition, you'll generally need treatment for the rest of your life.



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