What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause blindness without warning or symptoms. Three million Americans have it today but only half know they have it and the others go untreated. Glaucoma vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve - the part of the eye that carries images we see to the brain.

Definition of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease that if left untreated can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve resulting in gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. Damage to the optic nerve, due to glaucoma, is usually caused by an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Clear fluid, called aqueous humor circulates through the eye providing nourishment to the tissues pressure to help maintain the shape of the eye.

Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG), occurs when there is an increase in fluid production or a decrease in fluid drainage. Over time, as the optic nerve fibers are destroyed, peripheral (side) vision is lost.

Blocked fluid flow

Aqueous humor flows out of the eye through the Trabecular Meshwork (TM), near the edge of the iris. If the TM is blocked, restricting drainage, the pressure inside the eye increases. This elevated eye pressure results in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss occurs.

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