Glaucoma Causes and Risk Factors: An Eye Health Guide
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve. Raised pressure inside the eye is an important risk factor, but glaucoma can also occur when pressure readings are within a range usually considered normal. An eye examination is needed for diagnosis.
How glaucoma can develop
The eye continually produces and drains fluid. If drainage is reduced, pressure may rise and contribute to optic-nerve damage. In other forms, nerve vulnerability, eye structure, injury, inflammation, medicines or another eye condition may be involved. The cause is not always explained by one factor.
Main types
- Primary open-angle glaucoma: often develops gradually without obvious early symptoms.
- Angle-closure glaucoma: may develop suddenly or gradually when the drainage angle is narrowed or blocked.
- Normal-tension glaucoma: optic-nerve damage occurs despite pressure readings that are not unusually high.
- Secondary glaucoma: associated with another eye condition, injury, procedure or medicine.
- Childhood glaucoma: uncommon forms that require specialist paediatric eye care.
Risk factors
Risk can be influenced by age, family history, ancestry, eye pressure, corneal or drainage-angle anatomy, severe short-sightedness or long-sightedness, previous eye injury, some health conditions and corticosteroid exposure. Having a risk factor does not mean that a person has glaucoma, and having no known risk factor does not rule it out.
Symptoms and urgent care
Many chronic forms cause no noticeable early symptoms. Sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision or halos around lights may indicate acute angle closure and require emergency medical assessment.
Detection and follow-up
An assessment may include eye-pressure measurement, examination of the optic nerve and drainage angle, visual-field testing, corneal measurements and imaging. The tests and review interval are chosen for the individual. Treatment can include prescribed drops, laser or surgery, but no approach guarantees that vision will remain unchanged.
Eye care through Revitalize
Revitalize in Turkey coordinates eye assessments with its contracted clinicians and facilities. Read the eye treatment information, review current doctor profiles, or contact Revitalize.
Important: This guide is general information and does not diagnose glaucoma or replace urgent care.