Green cataract (glaucoma)

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that develops slowly and affects vision over time. The condition involves damage to the optic nerve, which can gradually lead to parts of the visual field disappearing. Because the changes often occur subtly, many people do not notice any symptoms at first, making regular eye examinations especially important. With early detection and proper treatment, it is possible to slow the progression of the disease and preserve vision for longer.

Glaucoma is often linked to increased pressure in the eye, but it can also occur despite normal pressure levels. When the pressure becomes too high, or when the optic nerve is particularly sensitive for other reasons, the nerve can be damaged and vision gradually worsens. Common signs include a narrowing visual field, missing areas of vision, or blurred sight. Unlike cataracts, where vision becomes cloudy due to a cloudy lens, glaucoma involves damage to the optic nerve and how visual signals are transmitted to the brain.

Symptoms of glaucoma

The most common form develops slowly and without clear warning signs. Therefore, the disease is often detected during an eye examination rather than through obvious symptoms.

• Reduced visual field
• Spots in vision
• Worse vision in the dark
• Difficulty navigating surroundings

Acute glaucoma – when it is urgent

In acute glaucoma, the pressure in the eye rises rapidly. It is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

• Severe eye pain
• Red and irritated eye
• Rapid vision loss
• Headache and nausea
• Halos around lights

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

Why does glaucoma occur?

A common cause is that fluid in the eye does not drain properly. This leads to increased pressure that can damage the optic nerve. In some cases, glaucoma develops despite normal pressure, which may be due to a particularly sensitive optic nerve or reduced blood supply.

Risk factors to be aware of

Certain factors increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Being aware of them can help you stay alert and seek care in time.

• Older age
• Heredity (family history of glaucoma)
• High eye pressure
• Severe nearsightedness
• Previous eye injuries
• Other eye diseases

How glaucoma is detected

Because the disease often does not cause clear symptoms in the early stages, regular eye check-ups are important. During an examination, eye pressure can be measured, the visual field tested, and the optic nerve examined. In some cases, imaging is also used to monitor changes over time.

Treatment of glaucoma

Treatment of glaucoma aims to lower the pressure in the eye and thereby protect the optic nerve from further damage. Common treatment methods include eye drops used daily, laser treatment to improve fluid drainage in the eye, and surgery in cases where other treatments are not sufficient. It is important to understand that treatment cannot restore vision that has already been lost, but it can effectively slow the progression of the disease.

What you can do yourself

Following your treatment plan is essential to protect your vision. Use your eye drops as prescribed and attend follow-up appointments. Even if you do not notice any symptoms, it is important to continue treatment. If you have a family history of glaucoma, it may be wise to have your vision checked regularly, especially from middle age.

When should you seek care?

Contact healthcare services if you notice changes in your visual field, experience blurred vision without a clear cause, or if glaucoma runs in your family. Seek urgent care if you have sudden eye pain, a red eye, nausea, or rapidly worsening vision.