Clinical Definition

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. Often associated with higher pressures of the aqueous humor (clear fluid) that circulates inside the front part of the eye, when pressure builds, it can potentially damage the optic nerve, interfering with transmission of images to the brain.

In Our Own Words

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, resulting in partial vision loss and sometimes blindness. It’s a complicated form of vision loss as many people can still see fairly normally at first. Eventually, the visual field starts shrinking and peripheral vision is compromised.

Experts aren’t sure of the exact mechanism, but damage to the optic nerve, normal aging and fluid buildup with pressure inside the eye are sources of trouble. Recently, researchers found glaucoma may occur even with normal pressure inside the eye if you are genetically predisposed to this condition.