Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of sight by damaging a part of the eye called the optic nerve. Glaucoma often presents as a silent killer and once lost vision cannot be restored.
Risk factors:

• Age: More frequently seen in older age groups
• Race: African-Americans have higher occurrence of Glaucoma
• Family history: First degree relatives having Glaucoma warrants a thorough examination to rule out Glaucoma in other family members
• Medical history: Previous eye injuries, eye surgery or long-term steroid use anywhere in the body can increase risk of glaucoma

Investigations:

• Tonometry: Procedure in which pressure of the eye is measured
• Pachymetry: Measurement of thickness of the cornea (the front window of the eye)
• Ophthalmoscopy: Examination of the Optic nerve head after dilation of pupil
• Gonioscopy: Examination of drainage angle of the eye
• Perimetry: Evaluates your visual field

Treatments:

Glaucoma can usually be treated and controlled using medicine(s), laser surgery, Glaucoma surgery or a combination of these treatments. Medicines (eye drops) are typically the first step in treatment, but laser surgery may be just as effective as a first choice. Your treatment should be as per the advice of your doctor

There are three common laser procedures:

• Laser trabeculoplasty
• Peripheral iridotomy
• Laser cyclophotocoagulation

Glaucoma Surgeries:

• Filtering surgery
• Drainage implant surgery