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Glaucoma is one of the world's leading causes of blindness. In the UK, 1 in 50 people over 40 have this condition. Glaucoma is not curable, but blindness is preventable if the glaucoma is diagnosed and treated early enough. While there are usually no warning signs, regular eye tests will help detect the onset of the disease.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterised by loss of vision due to damage of the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries sight images to the brain, and any damage to the nerve results in damage to sight.
Usually, but not always, the damage occurs because pressure within the eye increases and presses on the nerve, which damages it.
Will I go blind from glaucoma?
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, this does not mean you will go blind, especially if you have been diagnosed with glaucoma at an early stage in the disease.
Drops and sometimes operations can stabilise the glaucoma, and, with regular check-ups, you will be able to manage the condition. You will experience some degree of sight loss but it will be minimised with effective treatment.
