Glaucoma can damage vision before symptoms appear. Regular assessment and treatment help protect the sight that remains.
Emergency symptoms: Sudden severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision or halos with headache, nausea or vomiting can signal acute angle closure. Seek immediate eye emergency care or an emergency department. Do not drive yourself or wait for a routine booking. Emergency guidance.
What glaucoma means
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The common open-angle form usually develops gradually. Existing nerve damage cannot be reversed, but treatment can reduce the risk of further loss. Glaucoma overview.
Symptoms can be easy to miss
Early glaucoma often causes no noticeable symptoms. Side vision may slowly become affected, while reading vision still seems clear. An eye examination can detect changes before someone realizes anything is wrong. Sudden painful symptoms require a different, urgent response from slowly developing glaucoma. Symptoms.
Pressure and other risk factors
Pressure inside the eye is an important risk factor, but pressure alone does not tell the whole story. Some people develop glaucoma despite readings within the usual range; others have raised pressure without nerve damage. Increasing age, a close relative with glaucoma and certain ethnic backgrounds increase risk. Previous eye problems and other medical conditions may also matter. Risk factors.
How it is assessed
The assessment examines the optic nerve and includes tests of the visual field, or how much you can see around the edges. Eye pressure is considered alongside these findings. Repeated examinations help establish whether the condition is changing; a single reassuring reading cannot replace appropriate follow-up. Eye examinations.
Treatment and ongoing care
Options include prescribed pressure-lowering drops, laser treatment and surgery. The choice depends on the glaucoma type, its severity and how well an earlier treatment worked. Follow-up checks remain important after any treatment. If drops are difficult to use or cause side effects, tell your eye-care team rather than quietly stopping them. Treatment and follow-up.
A useful study: laser as an initial option
The 2019 LiGHT randomized trial compared selective laser trabeculoplasty with eye drops in previously untreated open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. About three quarters of participants assigned to laser did not need drops to maintain their target pressure at three years. This supports discussing laser as an initial option for suitable patients. It does not mean laser cures glaucoma or suits every type. Read the LiGHT study.
Glaucoma illustrated
Questions for your appointment
- Which type of glaucoma do I have, and how advanced is it?
- What pressure are we aiming for, and why?
- Are drops, laser or surgery reasonable choices for me?
- How will you check for progression, and when should I return?
Frequently asked questions
Can I have glaucoma with normal pressure?
Yes. Diagnosis depends on the optic nerve and other findings, not just a pressure number. Pressure and glaucoma.
Can treatment restore lost vision?
It cannot reverse established glaucoma damage. Its main aim is to protect remaining vision. Treatment goals.
Should relatives mention my diagnosis at their eye checks?
Yes. Family history helps an eye-care professional decide how closely someone should be checked. Family risk.
Related reading: Cataracts.
This information is educational and cannot diagnose an eye condition or replace an individual assessment.
Sources and further reading
General educational information prepared October 2026. Treatments described are general options; availability and suitability require an individual assessment.
