What is Glaucoma and What Are Some Commonly Associated Symptoms?

 Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by optic nerve damage, secondary to an increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting from dysfunction of the normal drainage system of the eye. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting up to 102 million people – the World Glaucoma Congress expects this number to nearly double in the next 16 years with an aging population.

Glaucoma is a class of eye diseases that can result in damage to the optic nerve and irreversible vision loss. Sometimes referred to as the 'silent thief of sight,' glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, as it progresses, symptoms can depend on the type of glaucoma and vary from patient to patient. Even so, glaucoma is commonly characterized by an abnormal increase in IOP that can bring about several side-effects, including ocular discomfort, headache, nausea, and vision impairment.