Glaucoma damage can be prevented if detected and treated early. However sight loss is irreversible. This is why funding vital glaucoma research plays a big part in our mission to create a future everyone can see..
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often (but not always) linked to high eye pressure. Our eyes contain fluid called aqueous humour, which helps them hold their shape. When this fluid is no longer drains away fast enough, eye pressure can rise - but glaucoma can occur in people with normal eye pressure too. Why some people develop glaucoma and others don’t isn’t fully understood yet, but a number of causes have been recognised. Age is the biggest risk factor with almost 10% of people aged 75 and over having glaucoma. People with a close relative, such as a parent, with the condition may also be at higher risk, and ethnicity (African, Caribbean, Asian origin) is a factor for certain types of glaucoma too.
These are the five main types of glaucoma: Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form. It’s also the type most associated with older age and is also slightly more common in people of African-Caribbean descent. It happens when the eye’s drainage channels gradually become clogged and tends to develop slowly over many years.
Acute angle closure glaucoma, also known as closed angle glaucoma, happens when eye pressure can rise very suddenly potentially leading to acute damage to the optic nerve. It’s a lot less common than primary open angle glaucoma and tends to affect people of East Asian origin more.
Secondary glaucoma occurs due to something else going on in the body or eyes, such as side-effect from certain medications, another underlying eye condition like uveitis (inflammation of the eye), or an eye injury.
Normal tension glaucoma is diagnosed despite eye pressure being normal. Why it happens isn’t entirely clear but it’s believed some people’s optic nerves may be more fragile.
Congenital glaucoma also known as childhood glaucoma, is when the condition is present from birth due to an abnormality within the eye.
What are the signs and symptoms of glaucoma?
Glaucoma tends to develop slowly and often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms until damage has already occurred. Sometimes people experience acute glaucoma which causes a sudden onset of severe eye pain and blurred vision.
When glaucoma does cause symptoms, these might include:
Blurred and reduced vision starting with peripheral vision (outer edges) and develops very slowly.
Seeing rings and rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights. Severe eye pain that comes on suddenly.
This might be accompanied by redness and tenderness of the eye and surrounding area, plus a headache, nausea and vomiting.
