Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition which results in damage to the Optic nerve at the back of the eye. This may be because the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. In most cases you will not feel the pressure and the damage happens slowly meaning that you may not know you have glaucoma until a lot of damage is done.

Glaucoma becomes more common with age, however there are several other factors that increase the risk of developing the condition:

Family history: People are more likely to develop glaucoma if they have a close relative with the condition. It is therefore vital for anyone over 40 with a family history of glaucoma to have regular eye examinations

Race: People of African, Caribean and Asian origin are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma

Short-sightedness: People with high levels of short-sightedness are more likely to develop glaucoma

Diabetes: Those with diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition