Glaucoma

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Overview

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases related to the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends information from the eyes to the brain.

The most common cause glaucoma is increased eye pressure (intraocular pressure). Increased eye pressure leads to a build up of fluid behind the eye that causes damage to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma can lead to vision loss, starting with peripheral vision.

For more information on glaucoma visit the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada.

Our clinic

Diagnosis, treatment and management of glaucoma take place in our Ophthalmology Clinic.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Symptoms

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma. Most people with open-angle glaucoma do not have any symptoms until the disease is in its advanced stages, when loss of vision occurs.

Angle-closure glaucoma (also called narrow-angle glaucoma or acute-angle glaucoma) occurs when there is a sudden increase in eye pressure. This increase in pressure can cause sudden eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, rainbow-coloured halos around lights, nausea and vomiting.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If you experience these symptoms, go to your nearest emergency department.

Diagnosis

Optometrists look for signs of open-angle glaucoma during regular eye exams by:

Checking peripheral vision
Testing eye pressure
Visually examining eyes

If you have signs of glaucoma, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further testing.

Treatment

If you have early glaucoma, our Ophthalmology care team may recommend prescription eye drops. These will not cure the glaucoma or make your vision better, but they can lower the pressure in the eye and prevent your eyesight from getting worse.

Treatments to drain fluid from the eyes may be required as your glaucoma worsens. We will work with you to develop a care plan that is specific to your needs.

A care plan may include laser treatment. Before treatment, the ophthalmologist will use anesthetic drops to numb your eyes. A laser will then be used to drain fluid from your eyes. You should not feel any pain from the procedure.

In some cases, we may recommend surgery to drain the fluid. Our Ophthalmology care team will help you prepare for surgery.