Causes and Risk Factors of Glaucoma

Not always. Elevated eye pressure, also called ocular hypertension, is a key risk factor but does not guarantee glaucoma. Some people have high pressure without nerve damage, while others develop glaucoma with normal pressure. A diagnosis depends on assessing the optic nerve and peripheral vision for damage.

In its most common form, open-angle glaucoma often has no symptoms in the early stages. The first sign is typically a gradual, painless loss of side, or peripheral, vision. As the disease progresses, this can lead to tunnel vision.

An eye doctor uses multiple tests to confirm glaucoma. These include:

• Tonometry to measure eye pressure
• Gonioscopy to visualize the eye's drainage angle
• Ophthalmoscopy to examine the optic nerve for signs of damage
• Visual field testing, also called perimetry, to map out any loss of side vision
• Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, to create a detailed image of the optic nerve fibers

The main types of glaucoma include:

• Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, where drainage canals gradually become blocked
• Angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden blockage of fluid drainage that is a medical emergency
• Normal-tension glaucoma, where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal eye pressure
• Secondary glaucoma, which results from another disease, injury, or medication
• Congenital glaucoma, a rare form present at birth due to abnormal eye development

Treatment is focused on lowering eye pressure to protect the optic nerve. Options include:

• Prescription eye drops to reduce fluid production or improve drainage
• Laser therapy to improve the outflow of fluid
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, called MIGS, that use microscopic devices to reduce pressure
• Conventional filtering surgeries for more advanced cases

There is no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma. However, regular comprehensive eye exams allow for early detection, and prompt treatment can dramatically slow or prevent vision loss from occurring.

Yes, glaucoma has a strong genetic component. Close family members of a person with glaucoma should have regular comprehensive eye exams, typically starting at a younger age, to check for early signs of the disease.

While lifestyle changes alone cannot treat glaucoma, they can support overall eye health and complement medical treatment. Helpful habits include engaging in regular moderate exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and wearing protective eyewear to prevent injuries.

Yes, though it is rare. Congenital glaucoma can be present at birth, and other forms can develop in childhood. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to protect a child's vision from irreversible damage.

If left untreated, glaucoma will cause progressive and irreversible vision loss that can eventually lead to blindness. With early diagnosis and consistent treatment, most people with glaucoma are able to preserve their sight throughout their lifetime.

If you have risk factors for glaucoma, you may need eye exams more frequently than people without risk factors. Our eye doctors at ReFocus Eye Health Waterbury will recommend an exam schedule based on your individual risk level and test results. Generally, those with risk factors should be screened annually or more often as recommended.

If diagnosed with glaucoma, following your treatment plan is essential to preserve your vision. This may include using prescribed eye drops regularly, attending all follow-up appointments, and having regular eye pressure checks. ReFocus Eye Health Waterbury provides comprehensive glaucoma management with advanced monitoring technology to track your condition and adjust treatment as needed.