In our eye a clear fluid called as aqueous humor is secreted that nourishes the eye and drains back with waste products through drainage channels.

Under normal circumstances a balance is maintained between secretion and drainage. Where as in glaucoma because of blockage of the drainage channel, the balance is disturbed and cause increase of fluid pressure inside the eye.

This increased pressures strains the optic nerve of the eye ultimately damaging them and resulting in vision problems.

Anyone whose:

• Age is over 40 years
• Has a family history of glaucoma
• Has myopia or hypermetropia
• Has diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism
• Has increased eye pressure or eye injury
• Has a history of long-term steroid intake
• Has had eye surgeries
• Has a problem from birth

In many cases, there are no symptoms of glaucoma noticed by patients. Most common type Primary Open Angle Glaucoma has no symptoms until it reaches advanced stage. That is why glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight”. The main sign is usually a loss of side, or peripheral vision.

Angle closure glaucoma symptoms usually come on faster and are more obvious. Damage can happen quickly. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical care right away:

• Seeing halos around lights
• Vision loss
• Redness in your eye
• Eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants)
• Eye pain

Eye specialists can detect the glaucoma by conducting few in-clinic tests in which they measure eye pressure and see the structure of optic nerve through special apparatus. All tests are painless.

It can also be detected by taking images of the structures inside of your eyes through various diagnostic apparatus by your doctor.

The main goal of the glaucoma treatment is to prevent the progression of the disease and to prevent further damage to the optic nerve, thus saving vision.

And the goal is achieved by lowering the eye pressure by medications, lasers or surgeries.