Glaucoma is sometimes referred to as a “silent” disease. It’s a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if not treated. While there is no cure, there are effective treatments that can save your sight. Glaucoma causes damage to inner parts of the eye (the optic disc) and ultimately, loss of vision. The amount of vision loss will depend on the severity and how long the condition is present.
The primary factor in the development of this disease is intraocular pressure (IOP). There is a fluid inside the eye called aqueous humor, a fluid that helps shape and keeps the eye healthy. It also causes a small amount of pressure inside the eye. When this pressure gets too high it is called ocular hypertension (OH). A person may have OH and not have any loss of vision. However, over time this high pressure can begin to damage sensitive parts of the eye and may even lead to vision loss. The point at which damage begins represents the onset of Glaucoma.
