Freedom from glasses starts here.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. It is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. With early detection and treatment, severe vision loss can be prevented. It is for this reason that everyone over the age of 45 should see their optometrist for an eye check every 2 years and earlier if there is a family history.
Often glaucoma develops without any symptoms. There is commonly no pain and central vision often stays normal until late stages of the disease. Therefore it is important for patients with glaucoma to have regular specialised visual field tests to assess the amount of peripheral vision being affected.
Without treatment, people with glaucoma will gradually lose their peripheral vision. Over time, central vision may decrease until no vision remains. Glaucoma can develop in one or both eyes.
In angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage angle at the front of the eye is blocked by part of the iris and fluid cannot drain through the angle and leave the eye. This type of glaucoma is more common among Asian patients. People with this type of glaucoma may have a sudden increase in eye pressure. Symptoms include severe pain and nausea, as well as redness of the eye and blurred vision. If you have these symptoms, you need to seek treatment immediately. This is a medical emergency. Without treatment to restore the flow of fluid, the eye can become blind. A laser treatment called peripheral iridotomy to create a small channel on the iris near the angle can prevent this emergency from occurring.
In open-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle is not blocked by the iris. Open-angle glaucoma forms the majority of glaucoma in Australia. In open-angle glaucoma, even though the drainage angle is open, the fluid passes too slowly through the meshwork drain. This causes fluid build-up and the pressure inside the eye rises to a level that may damage the optic nerve. When the optic nerve is damaged from increased pressure, open-angle glaucoma and vision loss may result. There is no single value of eye pressure that will cause glaucoma. The damage to the optic nerve occurs when the balance between eye pressure and the optic nerve’s ability to handle pressure is lost.
For detection of glaucoma your eye specialist will perform a comprehensive eye examination to examine the eye pressure, drainage channels of your eye and optic nerves.
Additional tests you will have include:
The peripheral vision lost from glaucoma cannot be restored. There is no cure for glaucoma, however if the eye pressure (IOP) is lowered to a safe level then glaucoma will not progress.
What is a safe eye pressure for you may be different to other people. Many factors need to be taken into consideration including your age and the degree of existing glaucoma damage. Your eye specialist will advise you on the eye pressure that is safe for your eye (known as the target eye pressure).
The aim of these treatments is to prevent progression of your glaucoma by achieving a pressure that is safe for the eye.
If your vision feels different, don’t wait until it becomes unbearable. A straightforward assessment can confirm whether cataracts are the main driver and what options make sense for you.
Cataract surgery can lower eye pressure in some people, particularly if the drainage angle is narrow. In others, glaucoma treatment is still needed before and after surgery. If cataracts are also part of your picture, you can read more about cataract assessment and surgery.
For suitable patients, combining cataract surgery with MIGS can reduce pressure and may reduce reliance on drops. Whether this is appropriate depends on glaucoma severity, eye anatomy, and your target pressure.
Comprehensive Glaucoma Assessment and Monitoring
Glaucoma is a condition where details matter. A thorough baseline assessment and consistent monitoring plan help protect vision long-term.
We can discuss medical therapy, laser options, and surgical pathways when appropriate, based on the glaucoma type and your individual risk profile.
If you would like a glaucoma assessment, you can review what to expect and how to prepare via your appointment. Please bring a list of current eye drops and medications, any previous scan results or visual fields (if you have them), and details of any family history of glaucoma.
High eye pressure (ocular hypertension) means the pressure is elevated but there is no proven optic nerve damage. Glaucoma means there is optic nerve damage and/or characteristic visual field loss, which can occur with high or normal pressure.
Most chronic glaucoma does not cause headaches. Acute angle closure can cause severe headache with eye pain and nausea, and needs urgent treatment.
Usually no. Drops control pressure but do not “fix” the underlying tendency. Any change should be made with your specialist so pressure remains safe.
It depends on your risk level and stability. Some people need more frequent checks early on or if progression is suspected, then less often once stable.
Untreated glaucoma can lead to progressive, permanent vision loss, often starting with peripheral vision and potentially affecting central vision later.
Freedom from glasses starts here.
Angle closure happens when the drainage angle becomes narrow or blocked, preventing fluid from leaving the eye.
Early glaucoma symptoms
Symptoms of acute angle closure
Acute angle closure can cause:
If these symptoms occur, seek urgent care immediately.
Who is more likely to develop glaucoma
Risk is higher if you have one or more of the following:
If you have diabetes, it is also worth understanding retina-related risks such as diabetic retinopathy, which can affect vision in different ways.
Medications and conditions that can increase eye pressure
Visual field testing checks how well you see in your peripheral vision. It is one of the most important tools for monitoring glaucoma because it measures functional vision, not just structure.
OCT imaging can measure the retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell complex. This can help detect early glaucoma changes and confirm whether treatment is keeping things stable.
Gonioscopy checks whether the drainage angle is open or narrow, which guides diagnosis and treatment decisions. Pachymetry measures corneal thickness because it can influence pressure readings and help inform a realistic target pressure.
Glaucoma diagnosis is built from several pieces of information collected over time. The goal is to confirm whether glaucoma is present, establish a baseline, and then track for change.
Eye pressure is measured with tonometry. One reading is not enough to diagnose glaucoma because pressure can vary throughout the day and from visit to visit. Trends over time matter.
Your specialist will examine the optic nerve closely and may use imaging to document its shape and nerve fibre appearance. This helps detect early damage and track changes over time.
Glaucoma eye drops
Laser treatment for glaucoma
Laser options may be used to lower pressure or reduce the need for drops.
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
Glaucoma surgery
Setting a target eye pressure
Ongoing monitoring and follow-up
Can glaucoma be cured
Using eye drops correctly
A few practical habits can make drops easier and more effective:
Driving and vision
Protecting your long-term eye health
How cataract surgery can affect eye pressure
Combining cataract surgery with MIGS
Rediscover clearer vision
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