Glaucoma is a condition were the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) within the eye is elevated. The increased pressure gradually damages the optic nerve which can lead to severe vision loss Glaucoma is classified either as open-angle, (the common form which is mostly painless) or angle-closure glaucoma (which occurs suddenly and often associated with acute pain and red eye)

In its early phase glaucoma is often symptomless and by the time vision is affected the damage is permanent so early diagnosis is crucial.

Increased risk

There are numerous factors that can increase your risk of developing glaucoma:

• age (glaucoma becomes more likely as you get older) – in the UK, chronic open-angle glaucoma affects up to two in every 100 people over 40 years old and around five in every 100 people over 80 years old
• ethnic origin – people of African or Afro-Caribbean origin are at increased risk of developing chronic open-angle glaucoma and people of Asian origin are at increased risk of developing acute angle-closure
• glaucoma
• short sightedness (myopia) – people who are short-sighted are more likely to develop chronic open-angle glaucoma
• ocular hypertension (OHT – raised pressure in the eye) – we as optometrists are be able to diagnose OHT
• family history – if you have a close relative, such as a parent, brother or sister who has glaucoma, you are at increased risk of developing this condition yourself
• medical history – people with diabetes may be at increased risk of developing glaucoma