Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.
It is a silent thief of sight and often has no symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
The only way to protect yourself is to get regular eye examinations.
Regular eye exams are important especially if you are at a higher risk due to family history or age.
Early detection allows for management of the condition and prevents irreversible vision loss, in order words early diagnosis and management can effectively control the condition and prevent further vision loss.
WHAT IS GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a medical condition where the pressure inside the eye becomes too high, damaging the optic nerve and potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
WHAT HAPPENS IN GLAUCOMA
1. The eye produces a clear fluid called aqueous humor, which nourishes the eye and helps maintain its shape.
2. The aqueous humor flows out of the eye through a drainage system, called the trabecular meshwork.
3. In glaucoma, the drainage system becomes blocked or clogged, causing the aqueous humor to build up in the eye.
4. As a result, the pressure inside the eye (IOP) increases, putting pressure on the optic nerve.
5. The optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain, becomes damaged due to the increased pressure.
6. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss, including blindness.