Glaucoma is an eye condition in which pressure inside the eye increases to such a level that damages the optic nerve and results in loss of vision if not treated. It can occur at any age though it is more common in the older age group.

In the initial stage, glaucoma has no warning symptoms. This is a gradual effect where change in vision can be recognised usually at an advanced stage. Symptoms include a gradual loss of vision, severe headache, eye pain, nausea, red eyes, coloured circles around a light, blindness if not treated.

Glaucoma is a result of damage to the optic nerve caused due to increased pressure inside the eye. When the eye fluid is overproduced, or drainage system does not work properly, the fluid cannot flow out at a normal rate and eye pressure increases. Risk of glaucoma increases if it runs in the family.

Family history of glaucoma, age more than 60 years, having any medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sickle cell anaemia, had an eye injury or certain types of eye surgery, taking corticosteroid eye drops for a long time, regular eye check-up is advisable.

Glaucoma is diagnosed after checking the medical history of the patient, doing eye check-up in which pressure of fluid inside the eye is measured. Further, optic nerve damage is tested with a dilated eye examination and imaging tests, areas of vision loss are checked, corneal thickness is measured and fluid drainage angle is measured.