Overview
Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is a group of conditions that gradually damage the optic nerve — usually because of elevated intraocular pressure — and once vision is lost, it cannot be recovered. The good news: glaucoma is highly treatable when caught early, and most patients who keep up with regular eye exams never develop significant vision loss.
Symptoms
- •No symptoms at all in early stages (most common)
- •Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision
- •Tunnel vision in advanced stages
- •Severe eye pain, nausea, or sudden vision loss (acute angle-closure — emergency)
Causes & Risk Factors
- •Age over 40 — risk increases with each decade
- •Family history of glaucoma
- •African, Hispanic, or Asian descent (higher prevalence)
- •High intraocular pressure
- •Diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea
- •Long-term steroid medication use
- •Previous serious eye injury
How It's Diagnosed
We screen for glaucoma at every comprehensive eye exam — eye-pressure measurement, optic-nerve evaluation, and (when indicated) retinal imaging. If risk factors are identified, additional testing such as visual fields and OCT scans may be ordered.
Treatment Options
- 1Prescription eye drops to lower eye pressure (most common first-line treatment)
- 2Laser procedures (SLT) to improve fluid drainage
- 3Surgical procedures for advanced or treatment-resistant cases
- 4Co-management with a glaucoma specialist for complex cases
When to See an Eye Doctor
Adults over 40 should be screened at least every two years; annually if any risk factors apply. Sudden severe eye pain, halos around lights, or sudden vision loss requires same-day evaluation.
Related Service
Glaucoma is detected and monitored through our Glaucoma Screening service.
Learn About Glaucoma