Causes of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain. The main cause of glaucoma is high intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the pressure inside the eye.

IOP can increase when the fluid that flows through the eye, called aqueous humor, is unable to drain properly. This buildup of fluid can put pressure on the optic nerve and cause damage over time. However, some people can develop glaucoma even if they do not have high IOP. Other risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history, and certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.