Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases in which damage to the optic nerve fibers causes irreversible vision loss. The disease is progressive, which means vision loss does not just suddenly occur, but rather the affected individual’s vision will slowly decline over the years before it diminishes completely. Since the vision loss is irreversible, it is crucial for individuals to catch glaucoma as early as possible, which is where regular eye exams come into play.
Treatments for glaucoma include eye drops and surgery. The earlier the glaucoma is detected and treatment is started, the better the chances are of preserving vision.
