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Glaucoma

The name for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is linked to increased pressure in the eye, called intraocular pressure. This increased pressure can damage the optic nerve, which is the cable that sends images to your brain. Without proper treatment or management, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss. Glaucoma can even develop with normal intraocular pressure, which is why it can go unnoticed without regular eye health checks.

There are different types of glaucoma. The most common form is chronic glaucoma, which develops very slowly. A rarer form, called acute glaucoma, develops abruptly and with a sudden elevated and painful pressure in the eye.

Symptoms

Chronic glaucoma is not usually associated with any pain. The main sign of glaucoma is a loss of peripheral vision. However, many people won’t notice this change in vision until glaucoma has progressed to an advanced stage where any lost vision cannot be restored. That’s why early detection is so important.

Acute glaucoma, on the other hand, can be associated with severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and sudden visual impairment. Other symptoms may include blurred vision and circles of light around light sources. You should seek care from your optometrist immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Visual symptoms of glaucoma

These images show the difference in vision typically expected between someone with normal vision, someone with mild glaucoma, and someone with more advanced glaucoma.

Glaucoma normal vision
Mild glaucoma
Advanced glaucoma
  • Normal vision
  • Mild
  • Advanced

Common causes

The exact cause of glaucoma is not known.   

However, increased intraocular pressure is a big risk factor for the development of glaucoma. The eye produces a fluid called aqueous humor, which nourishes and helps maintain the shape of the eye. When there is no proper drainage of this fluid, the pressure builds up in the eye. Glaucoma typically develops when this increased pressure damages the optic nerve.  

In acute glaucoma, the drainage channels close completely and intraocular pressure rapidly increases. This sudden elevation in eye pressure causes pain and damage to the optic nerve.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:

  • Family history 

  • Increasing age  

  • Higher levels of myopia, or nearsightedness  

  • Elevated intraocular pressure, called ocular hypertension 

  • Certain ethnicities

Treatment

Permanent damage to vision can be minimized or avoided if glaucoma is detected and treated early. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent severe visual impairments.  

It is therefore important to be aware of the symptoms of glaucoma and have regular comprehensive eye exams. 

The good news is that with early detection, actions can be taken to protect your vision from permanent damage or minimize any further vision loss. Unfortunately, any vision already lost cannot be reversed.  

Depending on the type of glaucoma you have, management may include regular monitoring, using specialized eye drops to keep eye pressure under control, or even surgery.  

Regular comprehensive eye exams are the best way to make sure your eyes are healthy and any signs of glaucoma are detected early. When you visit a clinic in a Specsavers location, your eye exam includes an OCT scan that helps your optometrist to see even the smallest of changes to your eye that could indicate the early stages of glaucoma – so they can make sure your vision is safeguarded at the earliest chance.

Next steps

We want to help you see clearly and keep your eyes healthy for as long as possible. If your optometrist detects any signs of an eye condition during your comprehensive eye exam, they will determine an appropriate management plan that suits your needs.

Book an eye exam

Get answers to your questions

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Reviewed by Dr. Brendon Bjarnason

Dr. Brendon Bjarnason is a Doctor of Optometry located in Edmonton, Alberta at the Southgate Centre. He completed his optometry degree at Pacific University College of Optometry in Portland, Oregon. Currently, Dr. Bjarnason practices primary eyecare, with special interests in retinal disease, myopia control, and contact lenses and also serves on the Alberta Association of Optometrists Tele‑Optometry and Artificial Intelligence subcommittee.

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