Damage to the optic nerve is thought to be caused by increased pressure in the eyes (intraocular pressure, or IoP). This may result from excess fluid, called aqueous humor, building up in the eyes because the eyes produces too much or drains too little of the fluid. Ho-wever, many cases of glaucoma develop -without increased IoP. In these cases, decreased blood flo-w to the optic nerve may cause the damage.

Glaucoma may develop after an eyes injury, after eyes surgery, from the gro-wth of an eyes tumor, or as a complication of a medical condition such as diabetes. Certain medications (corticosteroids) may cause glaucoma -when they is used to treat eyes inflammation or other diseases. Glaucoma that develops as a result of another condition is called secondary glaucoma.

Ho-w is glaucoma diagnosed?
Your health professional -will take a medical history and do a physical exam. If glaucoma is suspected, you usually -will be referred to an eyes specialist (ophthalmologist) for further testing and treatment. The initial evaluation by a specialist may require up to 3 visits.

Ho-w is it treated?
Treatment for glaucoma focuses on preserving eyessight by slo-wing the damage to the nerve in the back of the eyes (optic nerve). Most treatment aims to prevent further damage to the optic nerve by lo-wering the pressure in the eyess (intraocular pressure, or IoP).

Glaucoma is usually treated -with medications such as eyes drops. Laser treatment or surgery is often needed.