Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the condition when the pressure in the eye causes damage to the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) where it leaves the eye. This nerve carries signals about what is being seen from the eye to the brain and as it becomes damaged vision is lost. This results in misty vision, with eventual loss of central vision, although this only happens rarely in late cases.
The aims of glaucoma treatment is to diagnose the condition early, and with careful monitoring and regular drops treatment or surgeries (including laser) the vast majority of people retain useful sight for life. It must be emphasised that vision lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, it is therefore important that you are checked regularly by your opticians to exclude this condition.
There are four main types of glaucoma:
- primary open angle glaucoma
- primary angle closure glaucoma
- secondary glaucoma
- developmental glaucoma
