What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. However, it is important to note that loss of sight from glaucoma could be prevented with early treatment.
Glaucoma Symptoms
In beginning, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms. It causes no pain or vision changes. Without treatment, people with glaucoma will slowly lose their peripheral (side) vision. As glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. They seem to be looking through a tunnel. Over time, central (straight-ahead) vision may decrease until no vision remains.
Glaucoma Treatments
There is no cure for glaucoma. Vision lost from the disease cannot be restored. Immediate treatment for early-stage, open-angle glaucoma can delay progression of the disease. That’s why early diagnosis is very important. Glaucoma treatments include medicines, laser trabeculoplasty, conventional surgery, or a combination of any of these. While these treatments may save remaining vision, they do not improve sight already lost from glaucoma.