Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that cause optic nerve damage as a result of increased intraocular pressure. Optic nerve damage can often lead to vision loss and even permanent blindness. Glaucoma is an insidious disease, often without symptoms in the early stages, which is why it is also called the “silent thief”.
There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common are the following:
The cause of glaucoma is not known exactly, but many factors can play a role, including genetic factors, an increase in intraocular pressure, impaired blood flow that damages the optic nerve, and structural problems in the optic nerve.
Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is extremely important. If not treated in the early stages, glaucoma can progress and cause vision loss. Treatment is usually aimed at reducing intraocular pressure and can use a variety of methods such as eye drops, oral medications, laser procedures or surgery.
Regular eye examinations are critical for early detection and treatment of glaucoma. People at risk of glaucoma, especially those with certain risk factors such as older adults, those with a family history of glaucoma, those with high intraocular pressure, or those with other eye diseases such as diabetes, should pay particular attention to regular eye checks and contact an ophthalmologist immediately if symptoms appear.