Overview of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage to the optic nerve is typically caused by high pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss or even blindness if left untreated.

There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and occurs when the drainage angle between the iris and the cornea is open but not functioning properly, leading to a gradual increase in intraocular pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, is less common and occurs when the drainage angle is blocked or obstructed, causing a sudden increase in intraocular pressure.

There are also other less common types of glaucoma, such as normal-tension glaucoma, which occurs when the optic nerve is damaged despite normal intraocular pressure, and congenital glaucoma, which occurs in infants and young children due to an abnormal development of the eye’s drainage system.

Glaucoma typically progresses slowly and may not cause noticeable symptoms until the later stages. Therefore, regular eye exams are important to detect and treat glaucoma early.