Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that is associated with damage to the optic nerve. The most important risk factor is intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. If left untreated, glaucoma progresses to blindness.

Symptoms

Glaucoma is often referred to as “the thief in the night” because there are usually no symptoms. Sometimes glaucoma symptoms do occur as in acute narrow angle. Symptoms can include blurred vision, halos, pain, and nausea. These symptoms constitute an eye emergency in order to prevent permanent vision loss.