Glaucoma: Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can slowly steal your vision without warning. It is one of the main causes of permanent blindness around the world. Many people don’t notice they have it until their eyesight is badly damaged. That’s why early check-ups, quick diagnosis, and the right treatment are so important.

In this article, we’ll explain the types of glaucoma, common symptoms, risk factors, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options in simple language

WhatIs Glaucoma?

Glaucoma happens when the optic nerve, the “cable” that sends pictures from your eyes to your brain, gets damaged. This usually happens because of high eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP). Over time, the pressure harms the nerve and causes vision loss.

There are different kinds of glaucoma. The two main types are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

Types of Glaucoma

    1. Open-Angle Glaucoma

    This is the most common kind. The drainage system in the eye gets partly blocked, so fluid builds up slowly. Because it causes no pain at first, people may not notice it until they lose side vision.

    1. Angle-Closure Glaucoma

    This type happens when the iris (the colored part of the eye) blocks the drainage angle. Pressure in the eye rises very quickly. Symptoms include strong eye pain, blurry vision, rainbow-like. 

  2. 3. Normal-Tension Glaucoma

    Sometimes the optic nerve gets damaged even if eye pressure is normal. Poor blood flow or family history may play a role.

    4. Secondary Glaucoma

    This happens because of another problem such as diabetes, eye injury, inflammation, or certain medications (like steroids)..

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is tricky because many people don’t feel anything until it’s advanced. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Open-angle glaucoma: No pain, slow loss of side vision (“tunnel vision”).

  • Angle-closure glaucoma: Sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos, headache, nausea.
  • Normal-tension glaucoma: Subtle vision loss, often missed.
  • Advanced glaucoma: Severe tunnel vision, eventually central vision loss.

If you notice these symptoms of glaucoma, see an eye doctor immediately.

Who is at Risk?

Anyone can get glaucoma, but some people are more likely:

  • Age over 40 (risk increases after 60).
  • Family history of glaucoma.
  • People of African, Hispanic, or Asian backgrounds.
  • High eye pressure.
  • Severe nearsightedness (myopia).
  • Diabetes, high blood pressure, or long-term use of steroids.

If you have these glaucoma risk factors, it’s wise to get your eyes checked regularly

How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

Because vision loss cannot be reversed, early diagnosis is key. Doctors use several tests:

  1. Tonometry:
    Measures eye pressure.
  2. Visual field test:
    Checks side (peripheral) vision.
  3. Gonioscopy:
    Looks at the drainage angle in the eye.
  4. OCT scan:
    Takes pictures of the optic nerve.
  5. Eye exam:
    Doctor checks the optic nerve for damage.

A full check-up usually includes more than one test for an accurate diagnosis of glaucoma.

Treatment for Glaucoma

There’s no cure yet, but treatment can slow the disease and protect your vision. Options include:

  1. Eye Drops (Medications)

The most common treatment. Drops either lower fluid production or help it drain out.

  1. Laser Treatment
  • Laser trabeculoplasty:
    Opens drainage in open-angle glaucoma.
  • Laser iridotomy:
    Creates a small hole in the iris for angle-closure glaucoma.
  1. Surgery

If drops and lasers aren’t enough, doctors may recommend glaucoma surgery, such as:

  • Trabeculectomy:
    Creates a new drainage path.
  • Drainage implants (tubes):
    Helps fluid leave the eye.
  • MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery):
    Newer, safer methods with faster recovery.
  1. New Treatments

Research is developing slow-release drug implants and even gene therapies for better long-term control.