Glaucoma
Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition where the main nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's most common in adults aged 50 and over and can cause vision loss if it's not diagnosed and treated early.
Symptoms
Glaucoma does not usually have symptoms and most people do not realise they have it. It develops slowly over many years and is usually picked up during routine eye tests. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, but it may be worse in 1 eye. Sometimes glaucoma can develop suddenly and cause symptoms such as: intense eye paina red eyetenderness around the eyesseeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lightsblurred visionfeeling sick (nausea) and being sicka headache Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, includinguveitisand aneye injury.
Causes
Glaucoma is usually caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye. This happens when the fluid in your eye cannot drain as it should. This increase in pressure damages the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve). Sometimes the pressure in the eye is in the normal range but damage is still caused to the optic nerve. It's not always known why this happens, but your risk may be higher if: you're over 50 years oldyou have a brother, sister or parent with glaucomayou're from a Black African, Caribbean or Asian backgroundyou have other medical conditions – such asshort-sightedness,long-sightednessordiabetes
Treatment
There's currently no cure for glaucoma, but there are treatments that can slow down the damage and help stop your vision getting worse. The treatment you'll have depends on how your sight is affected and the type of glaucoma you have. Treatment may include: eye drops– to decrease the amount of fluid in the eye and help it drainlaser treatment – to decrease the amount of fluid in the eyesurgery– there are several different types of operation to treat glaucoma You'll have follow-up appointments to monitor your eyes and check that treatment is working. It's important not to miss any of these appointments. Glaucoma UK: treatments and surgery
Prevention
Regular eye tests (every 2 years) to detect early pressure changes. Manage risk factors (diabetes/BP).
When to see a doctor
Regular eye tests essential. Urgent A&E: sudden severe eye pain; nausea; red eye; sudden blurred vision (Acute Glaucoma).