Condition

Glaucoma

Also known as Open-Angle Glaucoma, POAG, Angle-Closure Glaucoma, Normal-Tension Glaucoma, The Silent Thief of Sight

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Glaucoma slowly damages the nerve at the back of your eye. It usually has no symptoms until vision is lost, but eye drops, lasers, or surgery can slow it down if it's found early.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. About 76 million people had it in 2020, and that number is expected to grow to 112 million by 2040 1.

The most common type, primary open-angle glaucoma, has no pain and no early warning signs. Most people only find out when an eye doctor checks the back of the eye and the pressure inside it (intraocular pressure) 2.

There is no cure, but treatment works. Lowering eye pressure with daily drops, in-office lasers, or surgery can slow vision loss and protect the sight you still have 3.

Common Questions About Glaucoma

There is no cure today. But drops, lasers, and surgery can slow or stop more vision loss. The vision you have already lost cannot come back 3.

Next Steps

  1. 1Book a full dilated eye exam if you have not had one in the past year, especially if you are over 60 or have a family history of glaucoma.
  2. 2Tell your eye doctor about any relatives with glaucoma, blindness, or eye surgery.
  3. 3Ask your doctor for your eye pressure number and cup-to-disc ratio so you can track changes over time.
  4. 4If you are on glaucoma drops, take them at the same time every day and set a phone alarm so you do not forget.
  5. 5Go to the emergency room right away if you have sudden eye pain, halos around lights with nausea, or sudden vision loss in one eye.

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