what is glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve in the back of the eye. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye, increasing the pressure inside the eye and damaging the optic nerve. The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which happens gradually when the eye does not drain fluid as well as it should. Glaucoma can occur at any age but is more common in older adults and is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60. Some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure, which means their risk of getting glaucoma is higher than normal. Glaucoma damage is permanent and cannot be reversed, but medicine and surgery can help to stop further damage. Regular comprehensive eye exams are important to find early signs of damage to the optic nerve. Symptoms of glaucoma can start so slowly that many people cant tell that their vision is changing at first, but over time, they may slowly lose vision, usually starting with their side (peripheral) vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can eventually cause blindness.