Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. One of the leading causes of blindness, glaucoma has no warning signs and is often call the sneak thief of sight.
Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes. At first, there are no symptoms. As the disease progresses, a person with Glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing. Objects in front may still be seen clearly, but objects to the side may be missed.
Early diagnosis is extremely important and with early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss due to Glaucoma. Without treatment, people with Glaucoma will continue to slowly lose their peripheral vision, and eventually their central vision as well. Vision lost to Glaucoma cannot be recovered, so early detection and treatment is essential.