Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (2024)

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma isagroup of eye diseases that can causevision loss and blindnessbydamaging a nerve in the back of your eyecalledthe optic nerve.

Thesymptomscanstartso slowly that youmaynot noticethem.Theonlyway to find out if you haveglaucoma is to get acomprehensive dilatedeye exam.

There’s nocureforglaucoma, butearly treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision.

What are the types of glaucoma?

There aremanydifferent types of glaucoma, but the most commontype in the United Statesis calledopen-angle glaucoma— that’s what most people mean when theytalk aboutglaucoma.Other types areless common,like angle-closureglaucoma and congenital glaucoma.

Learn more aboutthe types of glaucoma

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

At first, glaucoma doesn’tusuallyhaveanysymptoms.That’s whyhalf ofpeople with glaucoma don’tevenknow they have it.

Over time, youmay slowly losevision,usuallystarting with yourside(peripheral)vision— especially the part of your vision that’sclosest to your nose. Because it happens so slowly,many peoplecan’t tellthattheirvision is changing at first.

But asthe diseasegets worse,you maystart tonoticethatyou can’t seethings off to the side anymore.Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.

Am I at risk for glaucoma?

Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are at higher risk.You’re at higher risk if you:

  • Are over age 60, especially if you’re Hispanic/Latino
  • Are African American and over age 40
  • Have a family history of glaucoma

Talk with your doctor about your risk for glaucoma, and askhowoften you need to getchecked.If you’re at higher risk, you need to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.

Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (1)

When to get help right away

Angle-closure glaucoma can cause these sudden symptoms:

  • Intense eye pain
  • Upset stomach (nausea)
  • Red eye
  • Blurry vision

If you have any of these symptoms, go to your doctor or an emergency room now.

What causes glaucoma?

Scientists aren’t sure what causesthe most commontypesofglaucoma, butmany people with glaucoma have high eyepressure — and treatments that lower eye pressure help to slow the disease.

Learn more about eye pressure and glaucoma

There’s no way to prevent glaucoma. That’s whyeye exams are soimportant — so youand your doctor can findit before it affects your vision.

How will my eye doctor check for glaucoma?

Eye doctors can check forglaucomaas part ofacomprehensivedilated eye exam.The exam issimple and painless —your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and then check your eyesfor glaucoma and other eye problems.The exam includes a visual field test to check your side vision.

Learn what to expect from a dilated eye exam

Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (2)

Did you know?

  • Glaucoma can happen in 1 eye or both eyes

  • Some people with high eye pressure don’t get glaucoma — and there’s a type of glaucoma that happens in people with normal eye pressure

  • Normal eye pressure varies by person — what’s normal for 1 person could be high for another

What’s the treatment for glaucoma?

Doctors use different typesof treatment for glaucoma, including medicines (usuallyeye drops), laser treatment,and surgery.

Ifyouhave glaucoma,it’s importantto start treatment right away.Treatmentwon’t undo any damage to your vision,but itcan stop it from getting worse.

  • Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (3)

    Medicines.Prescription eye drops are the most common treatment. Theylower the pressure in your eye and preventdamageto your optic nerve.

    Learn more about glaucoma medicines

  • Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (4)

    Laser treatment.To lower your eye pressure, doctors can use lasers tohelpthe fluid drainout of your eye.It’s a simpleprocedure that your doctor can do in the office.

    Learn more about laser treatment for glaucoma

  • Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (5)

    Surgery.Ifmedicinesand laser treatment don’t work, your doctor might suggest surgery.There are several different types of surgery that can help the fluid drain out ofyour eye.

    Learn more about glaucoma surgery

Talk overyour optionswith your doctor. While glaucoma is a serious disease, treatment works well.Remember these tips:

  • Ifyour doctor prescribesmedicine,be sure totake itevery day
  • Tell your doctor if yourtreatmentcauses side effects
  • See your doctorforregularcheck-ups
  • If you’re having trouble witheveryday activities because ofyour visionloss, ask your doctoraboutvision rehabilitation services or devicesthatcould help
  • Encourage family members to getcheckedfor glaucoma, since itcan runin families
Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (6)

Featured Resource: Talk With Your Doctor About Glaucoma

Do you have glaucoma? This guide makes it easy to talk with your doctor about your condition. It includes:

  • Information about glaucoma
  • Questions for the doctor
  • A symptom tracker

Get the guide

What is the latest research on glaucoma?

Scientists are studying what causes glaucoma and how we can find it earlier and treat it better.NEI also funds research on new treatment options.

Get the latest news on NEI-supported glaucoma research

Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (7)

Glaucoma Resources

Check out our media library of glaucoma photos and illustrations

See our materials for community health educators

Get flyers, booklets, and other resources to print or download

Glaucoma | National Eye Institute (2024)
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