Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, whose health is essential for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eyes.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. The disease can appear at any age, but it occurs more commonly in older adults.
Many forms of glaucoma do not have warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition has reached an advanced stage.
Because vision lost due to glaucoma cannot be recovered, it is important to have eye exams that include regular eye pressure measurements so that the diagnosis can be made in its early stages and treated appropriately. If glaucoma is caught early, it may be possible to slow or prevent vision loss. If you have the condition, you will need treatment for the rest of your life.