Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, damage to the optic nerve is due to increased pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. There are four major types of glaucoma:

• Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma
• Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma
• Congenital glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma

The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is always being made behind the colored part of the eye (the iris). It leaves the eye through channels in the front of the eye in an area called the anterior chamber angle, or simply the angle. Anything that slows or blocks the flow of this fluid out of the eye will cause pressure to build up in the eye. This pressure is called intraocular pressure (IOP). In most cases of glaucoma, this pressure is high and causes damage to the optic nerve.

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Learn more:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma
• Glaucoma Research Foundation: https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/
• National Eye Institute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma
• Web MD: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/glaucoma-eyes