Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.
​It’s usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye.
​Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision if it’s not diagnosed and treated early.
​It can affect people of all ages, but is most common in adults in their 70s and 80s.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
Glaucoma does not usually cause any symptoms to begin with.
It tends to develop slowly over many years and affects the edges of your vision (peripheral vision) first.
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For this reason, many people do not realise they have glaucoma, and it’s often only picked up during a routine eye test.
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If you do notice any symptoms, they might include blurred vision, or seeing rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights.
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Both eyes are usually affected, although it may be worse in one eye.
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Very occasionally, glaucoma can develop suddenly and cause:
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intense eye pain
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nausea and vomiting
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a red eye
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a headache
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tenderness around the eyes
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seeing rings around lights
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blurred vision
When to get medical advice.
Visit an opticians or a GP if you have any concerns about your vision.
If you have glaucoma, early diagnosis and treatment can help stop your vision getting worse.
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Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness.
If you develop symptoms of glaucoma suddenly, go to your nearest A & E as soon as possible.
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This is a medical emergency that may require immediate treatment.
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Types of glaucoma
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There are several different types of glaucoma.
The most common is called primary open angle glaucoma. This tends to develop slowly over many years.
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It’s caused by the drainage channels in the eye becoming gradually clogged over time.
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Other types of glaucoma include:
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acute angle closure glaucoma – an uncommon type caused by the drainage in the eye becoming suddenly blocked, which can raise the pressure inside the eye very quickly
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secondary glaucoma – caused by an underlying eye condition, such as inflammation of the eye (Uveitis)
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childhood glaucoma (congenital glaucoma) – a rare type that occurs in very young children, caused by an abnormality of the eye
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