Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an umbrella term for eye diseases that make pressure build up inside your eyeball, which can damage delicate, critical parts at the back of your eye. Most of these diseases are progressive, which means they gradually get worse. As they do, they can eventually cause permanent vision loss and blindness. In fact, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Learning that you have glaucoma or that you’re at risk for it can be hard to process. For most people, vision is the sense they rely on most in their daily routine. It can feel scary to imagine trying to adapt to and live your life after you have severe vision loss. But most forms of glaucoma are treatable, especially when diagnosed early. And with care and careful management, it’s possible to delay — or even prevent — permanent vision loss.