Do you know enough about glaucoma?

Surgery for glaucoma is usually performed if eye drops and laser treatment have failed to control the eye pressure. Photo: ISEC

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases in which damage occurs to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, leading to decreased peripheral (side) vision, and eventually, loss of central vision, and blindness.

The optic nerve is made up of many nerve fibres (like an electric cable containing numerous wires). In most people, this damage is due to increased pressure inside the eye as a result of blockage of the circulation or drainage of aqueous fluid (which carries oxygen, sugars and other essential nutrients to the structures of the eye and helps to maintain the shape of the eye).