Glaucoma is an eye disorder that damages the optic nerve responsible for delivering visual information to the brain. This condition unfolds when there is an unusually high pressure inside the eye, due to the accumulation of fluid (aqueous humor). As the time passes, this pressure in the eye starts affecting the optic nerve tissue. When this tissue begins to wear out, it can severely affect the visual functions and even cause blindness. However, if glaucoma is diagnosed in the early stages, then it could be possible to prevent further vision damage.

Signs and symptoms of glaucoma
Usually, in the beginning, patients don’t have any symptoms. As the condition gradually progresses, individuals complain of loss of peripheral vision (narrowed vision). However, due to its subtlety, this sign can go unnoticed for a very long period. Therefore, to detect the signs and symptoms of glaucoma in its initial stages, one should annually visit an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.

Apart from the loss of peripheral vision, here are some other common signs and symptoms of glaucoma which might occur unexpectedly.

• Sharp pain in the eye
• Nausea or vomiting
• Redness in the eye
• Seeing halos
• Blurred vision
• Eye that appears foggy, especially in babies

The ophthalmologist will inquire about the symptoms and if there is a family history of glaucoma. Consequently, they’ll perform a complete eye exam to detect any unusual changes. They might even recommend a tonometry, pachymetry and perimetry test to confirm the diagnosis.

Types of glaucoma

• Open-angle
  A widespread type, open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle formed by the iris and cornea remains unaffected, but the trabecular meshwork gets partially obstructed, intensifying the pressure on the eye. Since this condition steadily modifies the vision, most patients discover its symptoms in later stages.
• Angle-closure
  This kind of glaucoma affects the eye when the iris swells and protrudes forward to constrict the drainage angle created by the iris and cornea. This results in poor fluid circulation, which amplifies the strain in the eyes. Unlike, open-angle glaucoma, this form of condition arises suddenly and requires immediate medical attention.
• Normal-tension
  In this condition, the optic nerve tends to get damaged even though the pressure on the eye is normal. There could be two reasons for this, either your optic nerve is sensitive, or it isn’t receiving adequate blood and oxygen supply due to an underlying health condition.
• Pigmentary
  People suffering from pigmentary glaucoma develop a blockage in the drainage channels due to the pigment granules from the iris, causing recurrent heaviness in the eye.

Mostly glaucoma develops in individuals who are aged over 60, have chronic vision problems, have a family history of the disease, or dealing with uncontrolled diabetes. Ethnicity-wise, people of African descent are comparatively more prone to suffer from glaucoma. Likewise, individuals belonging to a Japanese lineage are vulnerable to normal tension of glaucoma and people of Asian origin are likely to get affected by angle-closure glaucoma.

Glaucoma can affect babies and children too, mostly due to an underlying disease. It can be present since birth or develop in the early years of childhood.