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Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, the part of the eye that carries images we see to the brain.

The front of the eye is filled with a fluid, called aqueous humor. This fluid is mostly water, and the main purpose is to inflate and maintain the shape of the eye. This fluid is very similar to water in a balloon, and sometimes the eye pressure can be too high. In such cases, pressure is placed on the optic nerve. This elevated pressure causes damage to the optic nerve. If the optic nerve is damaged, then vision cannot be transmitted from the eye to the brain, resulting in blindness. Unfortunately, damage to the optic nerve is not typically reversible. Once vision is lost, it cannot be restored. Therefore, screening and prevention are the keys to good glaucoma care. If detected, glaucoma is often treated with topical medications (eye drops), laser treatments or surgery.

There are many forms of glaucoma, but the hallmarks of all forms of glaucoma are damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss. New risk factors for glaucoma are always being discovered, but elevated intraocular pressure, increasing age, African-Americans and a family history of glaucoma remain among the highest risk factors.

Common types of glaucoma include:

• Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)

  Open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It is generally painless and slowly progressive. It is thought to be caused by changes in the drainage tissues of the eye. Although this type of glaucoma usually involves both eyes, it can be asymmetric in severity.

• Angle closure glaucoma

  More frequent in women, angle closure glaucoma is caused by anatomical changes in the relationship between the drainage system of the eye (the angle), iris and lens. The normal drainage outflow becomes blocked and the eye pressure elevates. This form of glaucoma can occur rapidly and can be painful. It is frequently treated with a laser. The laser opens a hole in the iris, restoring a more normal ocular anatomy and aqueous flow.

• Pigmentary glaucoma

  This type of glaucoma is seen when pigment from the back of the iris deposits in the drainage tissues of the eye. This pigment causes a blockage and elevated eye pressure. It occurs more frequently in myopic (near-sighted) patients.

• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

  A particular material, thought to be from the lens of the eye, deposits in the drainage tissues and results in glaucoma.

• Low tension glaucoma (LTG)

  Low tension or normal tension glaucoma presents as progressive visual field loss and optic nerve damage. However, the intraocular pressure generally remains within a normal range.