What is glaucoma caused by

The most common is called primary open angle glaucoma. This tends to develop slowly over many years. It's caused by the drainage channels in the eye becoming gradually clogged over time. Most cases are caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye when fluid is unable to drain properly.

This increase in pressure then damages the nerve that connects the eye to the brain optic nerve. It's often unclear why this happens, although certain things can increase the risk, including:. It's not clear whether you can do anything to prevent glaucoma, but having regular eye tests should pick it up as early as possible.

Glaucoma can usually be detected during a routine eye test at an opticians, often before it causes any noticeable symptoms. Find out if you're eligible for free NHS eye tests. Several quick and painless tests can be carried out to check for glaucoma, including vision tests and measurements of the pressure inside your eye.

If tests suggest you have glaucoma, you should be referred to a specialist eye doctor ophthalmologist to discuss treatment. Find out how glaucoma is diagnosed. It's not possible to reverse any loss of vision that occurred before glaucoma was diagnosed, but treatment can help stop your vision getting worse.

The treatment recommended for you will depend on the type of glaucoma you have, but the options are:. This pigment can raise eye pressure and lead to pigmentary glaucoma. Some people with PDS or pigmentary glaucoma may see halos or have blurry vision after activities like jogging or playing basketball. Talk with an ophthalmologist about your risk for getting glaucoma. People with more than one of these risk factors have an even higher risk of glaucoma.

The only sure way to diagnose glaucoma is with a complete eye exam. A glaucoma screening that only checks eye pressure is not enough to find glaucoma. Glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages. In fact, half the people with glaucoma do not know they have it!

Having regular eye exams can help your ophthalmologist find this disease before you lose vision. Glaucoma damage is permanent—it cannot be reversed. But medicine and surgery help to stop further damage. To treat glaucoma, your ophthalmologist may use one or more of the following treatments.

Glaucoma is usually controlled with eyedrop medicine. Used every day, these eye drops lower eye pressure. Some do this by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes. Others reduce pressure by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle. Glaucoma medications can help you keep your vision, but they may also produce side effects.

Some eye drops may cause:. All medications can have side effects. Some drugs can cause problems when taken with other medications. It is important to give your doctor a list of every medicine you take regularly. Be sure to talk with your ophthalmologist if you think you may have side effects from glaucoma medicine. Never change or stop taking your glaucoma medications without talking to your ophthalmologist.

If you are about to run out of your medication, ask your ophthalmologist if you should have your prescription refilled. There are two main types of laser surgery to treat glaucoma. They help aqueous drain from the eye. Some glaucoma surgery is done in an operating room.

It creates a new drainage channel for the aqueous humor to leave the eye. Treating glaucoma successfully is a team effort between you and your doctor. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe your glaucoma treatment. Once you are taking medications for glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will want to see you regularly. You can expect to visit your ophthalmologist about every 3—6 months.

However, this can vary depending on your treatment needs. About Foundation Museum of the Eye. What Is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment. People with diabetes and those with high blood pressure and heart disease have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. Using corticosteroids for extended periods may increase your risk of developing secondary glaucoma. To diagnose glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will want to perform a comprehensive eye examination. They may also use one or more of the following tests and procedures:.

People with thin corneas have an increased risk of developing glaucoma. A pachymetry test can tell your doctor if your corneas are thinner than average.

This test, also known as a visual field test, can tell your doctor if glaucoma is affecting your vision by measuring your peripheral, or side, vision and your central vision.

If your doctor wants to monitor for gradual changes to your optic nerve, they may take photographs of your optic nerve to conduct a side-by-side comparison over time. The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce IOP to stop any additional eyesight loss. Typically, your doctor will begin treatment with prescription eye drops. Several medicines designed to reduce IOP are available. These medicines are available in the form of eye drops or pills, but the drops are more common. Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of these.

If a blocked or slow channel is causing increased IOP, your doctor may suggest surgery to make a drainage path for fluid or destroy tissues that are responsible for the increased fluid.

Treatment for angle-closure glaucoma is different. This type of glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to reduce eye pressure as quickly as possible. Medicines are usually attempted first, to reverse the angle closure, but this may be unsuccessful. A laser procedure called laser peripheral iridotomy may also be performed. This procedure creates small holes in your iris to allow for increased fluid movement.

If your increased IOP can be stopped and the pressure returned to normal, vision loss can be slowed or even stopped. Unfortunately, vision lost as a result of glaucoma cannot be restored. The best way to catch any type of glaucoma early is to have an annual preventive eye care appointment. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Simple tests performed during these routine eye checks may be able to detect damage from glaucoma before it advances and begins causing vision loss. Diabetes can increase your risk of several eye diseases, including glaucoma.

Learn how diabetes can increase this risk and the steps you can take to…. Researchers say an autoimmune response may be behind the eye pressure and vision loss that sometimes precedes a glaucoma diagnosis. Primary open-angle glaucoma is a progressive condition that can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Learn what you can do to prevent vision…. Tonometry is an eye test that can detect changes in eye pressure.