Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by increased pressure in the eye that can also cause damage to your vision. As fluid builds up in your eye, the pressure inside your eye increases. The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve —the nerve that relays messages from your eyes to your brain to create visual images.
Glaucoma’s impact
on vision
If left untreated, glaucoma can reduce your vision, sometimes making objects look blurry or dark around the outside edges. As it progresses, the darkness or blurriness expands and can ultimately cause blindness.
Move the arrowto see how glaucoma could impact vision
Without glaucomaWith glaucoma
Who can get
glaucoma?
If you have any of the following conditions or characteristics, talk to an eye doctor about having a complete glaucoma exam.
Are older than 40 years
Have a family history of glaucoma
Are nearsighted or farsighted
Have poor vision
Have corneas that are thinner than usual
Have high eye pressure
Have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell anemia
Take certain steroid medications, such as prednisone
Take certain drugs for bladder control, seizures, over-the-counter cold remedies
Have previously had an eye injury
How is glaucoma
diagnosed?
To accurately and safely diagnose glaucoma, your eye doctor will check five factors during your eye examination.
Tonometry
A measure of the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP).
Ophthalmoscopy
Examination of the shape and color of the optic nerve, also called a dilated eye exam.
Perimetry
A test that measures your field of vision.
Gonioscopy
Examination of the angle in the eye where the iris meets the cornea.
Pachymetry
A measure of the thickness of the cornea.
Glaucoma
resources
More than 80 million people worldwide live with glaucoma. Here are a few support groups that you can visit for more information and resources for you and your family members.
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
The positive effect of iDose TR on the patient's vision
Have questions?
Can glaucoma cause blindness?
Is there a cure for glaucoma?
Does glaucoma have symptoms?
Does glaucoma run in families?
What kind of doctor should I see for glaucoma?
