Susan Blatt, MD

Glaucoma is a common eye disease.  It may be present without causing symptoms, yet the eye may be damaged.  About 10% of blindness is caused by glaucoma.  

In primary open angle glaucoma, the common form, fluid cannot move in and out of the eyeball. Angle closure glaucoma is less common, in which the pressure is normal, but the optic nerve is damaged.  The cause of these two types of glaucoma is not known.  

Two tests are done by eye doctors to diagnosis glaucoma.  One measures pressure in the eye.  The other involves looking deep within the eye to visualize the optic nerve.  It there are abnormalities, further tests are done.  

Earliest symptom may be blurred vision and seeing haloes around lights. Late symptoms include the reduction of peripheral vision, tunnel vision and then blindness.  With early treatment, symptoms generally do not occur.  It is recommended that persons between 40 and 60 visit an eye doctor every two to four years.  If over 60, visits should be made every one to two years.  

Glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops to decrease the pressure in the eye. Laser surgery may be done, or regular surgery, to drain the fluid from the eyes.