Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that results from a build-up of pressure inside the eyeball. The drainage of fluid into and out of the eye is restricted. As drainage decreases, there is a gradual increase in eye pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness.

Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries images from the eye to the brain. When it is damaged, blind spots and patterns develop. Damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed.

Usually no symptoms are felt in chronic glaucoma. Over time, there is a gradual loss of side vision. Acute glaucoma occurs when the fluid draining from the eye is blocked suddenly. Contact your ophthalmologist without delay if you experience a sudden onset of the following symptoms:
* blurred vision, usually in one eye,
* dilated pupil,
* pain in the eye,
* redness, and
* nausea and vomiting.

Glaucoma is usually treated with eye drops, oral drugs, or in some cases, laser microsurgery. Surgery may be suggested if medical treatment fails to reduce the pressure in the eye. Many surgical procedures can be done in a doctor's office.

Congenital glaucoma is a condition found in babies. Parents may notice their baby's eye getting bigger, cloudy, watering, and closing in response to light.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:
* advancing age,
* family history of glaucoma or diabetes,
* African American descent,
* severe nearsightedness, or
* use of blood pressure drugs or cortisone.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel you may be at risk for developing glaucoma. For more information about glaucoma or other vision related concerns, contact your local Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation or the National Society to Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020.

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