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World Glaucoma Week 2025: Awareness & Prevention

By Dr. Anita Sethi in Eye Care / Ophthalmology

Mar 06 , 2025 | 2 min read

World Glaucoma Week: Raising Awareness

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which transmits images from the eye to the brain. This damage often occurs due to increased pressure in the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma may result in permanent vision loss. It is usually called the "silent thief of sight" because symptoms may not appear until significant damage has occurred.

Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type and develops slowly and painlessly. The drainage angle in the eye becomes clogged, causing a gradual increase in eye pressure.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type develops when the iris is too close to the drainage angle, blocking fluid flow and causing sudden pressure buildup. It can present as a medical emergency.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Even with normal eye pressure, optic nerve damage occurs, likely due to insufficient blood flow to the nerve.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase the risk of glaucoma:

Age: People over 40 are at higher risk, and the risk increases with age.
Family History: If glaucoma runs in your family, your risk is higher—20% greater in siblings and 10% greater in children of affected individuals.
Ethnicity: African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are more prone to certain types of glaucoma.
Health Conditions: High blood pressure, diabetes, and previous eye injuries can increase the risk.
High refractive error: People with high plus or minus power (severe farsightedness or nearsightedness) are more prone to glaucoma.
Steroid use: Prolonged use of steroids (topical, oral, or local) can raise eye pressure.

Symptoms to Watch For

Most types of glaucoma show no symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. However, angle-closure glaucoma may cause:

Sudden eye pain
Headaches
Nausea
Blurry vision

If you notice any of these signs, seek immediate medical help.

Preventive Measures

While glaucoma cannot always be prevented, you can lower your risk:

Regular Eye Exams: Annual eye check-ups help detect glaucoma early.
Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking. Keeping blood pressure under control also helps.
Use Prescribed Medications: If your doctor prescribes eye drops to control eye pressure, use them as directed. Avoid self-medication with over-the-counter eye drops.

Treatment Options

Treatment focuses on reducing eye pressure and preventing further optic nerve damage. Options include:

Medications: Prescription eye drops help lower eye pressure.
Laser Treatment: Laser therapy can improve drainage or reduce eye fluid production.
Surgery: If eye pressure remains uncontrolled with medication, surgery might be required to create a new drainage pathway.

Take Action

With early detection and proper glaucoma treatment, glaucoma progression can be slowed, preserving vision. Routine eye examinations are crucial, particularly for individuals at higher risk. Celebrate World Glaucoma Week by taking the first step toward protecting your eyes!