Glaucoma is a group of diseases that gradually damages the optic nerve in the eye and may result in vision loss and blindness.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness and the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80 Million people have glaucoma worldwide and approximately 50% of individuals with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease.

The National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey showed that 16.3% of blindness in Nigeria was caused by glaucoma.

Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight because of its slow onset and progression, causing permanent vision loss with very few or no early signs.

What causes Glaucoma?

In The normal eye, a fluid called aqueous humour is produced in a specialized area at the back of the root of the iris (colored part of the eye) to nourish and protect eye structures.

The fluid then flows out through a drainage canal in the angle of the front part of the eye. If the drainage canal becomes blocked, pressure builds up inside the eye and damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting images to the brain. Because the optic nerve cannot regenerate, damage results in permanent visual loss.

Glaucoma is usually caused by a build-up of pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP).

Risk factors for glaucoma include black race, age above 40 years, Family history, Myopia e.t.c

How is Glaucoma treated?

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, treatment can often effectively stop the progression of the disease.

Lowering the Intraocular Pressure is the only effective way to halt the progression of glaucoma and preserve vision.

All types of glaucoma treatment are aimed at lowering eye pressure and include eyedrops, surgery and laser therapy.

At The Eye Doctor's,we have the latest equipments to diagnose glaucoma and also perform surgery and laser treatment for glaucoma.