Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the health of which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.

Glaucoma is a potentially blinding disease that is characterized by progressive damage to the optic nerve of the eye.The optic nerve is like a cable that brings information the eye sees about the world and brings it to the brain, and when there’s damaging glaucoma, patients often first lose a bit of their peripheral vision, and as it progresses they can eventually lose their central vision.

This is a big problem because people don’t know that they’re affected. There are lots of different risk factors for glaucoma: increasing age, race, also increased intraocular pressure in the eye, family history can be important, as well as certain refractive areas of the eye.

All of these things are important when we’re assessing somebody with glaucoma or to check if they have glaucoma.

Patients are often referred to see an ophthalmologist regarding glaucoma for a number of reasons. They might have a nerve at the back of the eye that looks very suspicious for glaucoma.

An eye care professional might have read that they had a very high pressure inside the eye, which is a risk factor for glaucoma, or there might have been a screening test done that indicates they’re missing part of their peripheral vision, and that might have them sent in to see an ophthalmologist for assessment.

These issues are often things that people don’t often perceive.  They might come and see somebody and say, “you know I’m not even sure why I’m here.” It’s therefor important that if the symptoms of glaucoma are noted by a physician, that the patient follows-up on all appointments to ensure that they don’t have any damage from this disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with glaucoma or a physician tells you they are suspicious for glaucoma, the most important thing you can do is continue to maintain your appointments with your eye care professional.  The likelihood of losing significant vision is greatly diminished if you keep those appointments are able to be seen regularly.

It’s also important to keep using any therapies that have been prescribed for you and make sure you don’t run out of medications and that might involve ensuring that your drops are being renewed appropriately, that you’re being seen on regular intervals, and that can be very helpful.

It’s important to remember that all of these treatments can treat glaucoma although none of them cure glaucoma, and so it’s not enough to simply take the drops and never see somebody again.

It’s important to be seen regularly. Glaucoma is a potentially blinding but treatable disease, so if for whatever reason you suspect you might have glaucoma, or you have a family history of glaucoma, it’s reasonable to see your GP or optometrist to be referred to see an ophthalmologist.   Often seeing a local Ophthalmologists or Optometrist in conjunction with your family physician or a registered dietician is a great option to dealing with eye conditions and symptoms. Smart Food Now and exercise is also important for overall health.    

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition characterized by elevated intraocular pressure that damages the optic nerve at the back of the eye. Here's a summary of the key points you've provided:

• Glaucoma Definition: Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) becomes elevated to a level that causes damage to the optic nerve, located at the back of the eye. This damage can result in permanent vision loss.

• Causes: There are various causes of glaucoma. In some cases, the drainage of fluid from the eye is blocked, leading to increased pressure. Primary open-angle glaucoma is a common form where there's no obvious cause for elevated pressure. A rarer subtype is normal tension glaucoma, where nerve damage occurs even without high intraocular pressure.

• Symptoms and Progression: Glaucoma typically doesn't cause noticeable symptoms until it's in advanced stages. The condition is often painless and causes a gradual deterioration of vision, starting with peripheral vision loss, progressing to tunnel vision, and eventually impacting central vision. Once vision is lost, it's irreversible.

• Damage Mechanism: Glaucoma damages the retinal fibers or optic nerve at the back of the eye. Increased pressure squeezes and damages these fibers, causing them to die off. Once damaged, they cannot be repaired, leading to permanent vision loss.

• Risk Factors: Individuals with a family history of glaucoma, short eye anatomy, certain genetic conditions like pseudoexfoliation syndrome or pigment dispersion syndrome, are at increased risk of developing glaucoma.

• Prevention and Treatment: Lowering intraocular pressure is key to preventing and managing glaucoma. Treatment options include medical therapy to reduce fluid production in the eye, laser therapy to promote drainage, and surgical procedures to create alternative drainage pathways.

• Screening and Detection: Regular eye exams, particularly for those with a family history of glaucoma, are crucial for early detection and management. Optometrists play a vital role in screening for this condition.

In conclusion, glaucoma is a condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. Regular eye examinations and early detection are essential for managing the condition and preventing its progression. If you have questions or concerns about glaucoma, seeking guidance from a local optometrist or family doctor is recommended.