What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve,¹ leading to vision loss and blindness.¹

Understanding glaucoma

The optic nerve is a bundle of around one million nerve fibres located at the back of your eye.^1,2 The function of the optic nerve is to transfer visual information from the eye to the vision centres of the brain, via electrical impulses.^1,2

Glaucoma is a common illness that affects the optic nerve.^1,2 It happens when the pressure of the fluid inside your eye becomes too high.^1,2 The increased pressure inside the eye kills nerve cells and damages your optic nerve, leading to vision loss.^1,2

Adapted from Shutterstock. ID: 327062303.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown.¹ It may be caused by a build-up of fluid in the eye, a blocked drainage canal or lack of proper blood supply to the optic nerve.¹ Not every person with high eye pressure will develop glaucoma, and the disease can also occur in people with normal eye pressure.¹

Certain risk factors can make someone more likely to develop glaucoma.¹ Read more about glaucoma risk factors here.

GLAUCOMA IS SERIOUS … BUT OFTEN SILENT

Glaucoma is often called ‘the silent thief of sight’ because it often progresses without noticeable symptoms.^1,3 Usually, the damage to the optic nerve is painless and takes place slowly and gradually.^1,3

Watch the video below to find out some more basic facts about glaucoma.

Note: Your symptoms will depend on the type of glaucoma you have. Read more about the different types of glaucoma here.

DID YOU KNOW? A glaucoma patient can lose as much as 40% of their sight before they start to notice a problem.⁴

Glaucoma cannot be prevented¹ and, if left untreated, it can cause irreversible vision loss or blindness.^3,4 Early detection and treatment are the best ways to protect your vision.¹ That’s why it’s so important to have regular eye exams.^1,4 If your eye care professional finds that you have glaucoma, your treatment can start immediately.⁴

How common is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of irreversible blindness.³

• Worldwide: It’s estimated that about 70 million people worldwide are affected by glaucoma.⁵

Glaucoma can be treated

Glaucoma can’t be cured, but it can be controlled with the right treatment.^1,4 Managing glaucoma is a lifelong process and regular check-ups are important.¹

Glaucoma patients can be treated with eye drops, oral medications or surgical procedures.^1,4 These treatments can help to slow down the effects of glaucoma or prevent further vision loss.^1,4

Find out about the most common treatments for glaucoma here.