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Glaucoma

Medical Education and Biomedical Research Facility

Overview

Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by optic nerve injury with resultant visual loss. While many individuals with glaucoma have an elevated eye pressure, it is a risk factor for glaucoma and not a part of the disease definition. Most individuals with mildly elevated eye pressure will not develop glaucoma and many individuals with glaucoma have never had a documented elevated pressure. Glaucoma is prevalent in all populations and can lead to blindness, if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Glaucoma is more common in older individuals and in certain ethnic groups. Moreover, a positive family history of glaucoma is a significant risk factor for the disease. The latter facts have led many investigators to propose that at least a subset of glaucoma may have a genetic basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about what glaucoma is, how it affects vision, and how it can be treated.

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