Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the major causes of sight loss in the UK affecting 1 in 50 people over the age of 40. Glaucoma affects 5 per cent of people over 65.

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged at the point where it leaves the eye. Glaucoma is caused either by raised pressure within the eye or weakness in the optic nerve.

• Glaucoma can cause patchy vision or the loss of peripheral vision leading to tunnel vision.

• Glaucoma tends to develop slowly, gradually reducing sight.

• Usually both eyes are affected equally although one eye can develop the condition faster than the other.

• Left untreated glaucoma can lead to permanent damage to the optic nerve and severe sight loss including blindness. 

Glaucoma and reading

The effect that glaucoma has on reading depends on the severity of the condition. Because peripheral vision is mostly affected, reading print may still be possible.

• Date: May 2009

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