There are many forms of glaucoma but they all result in progressive optic nerve damage and loss of vision if left untreated. The most common form called primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is greatly affected by heredity with elevated eye pressure as a major risk factor. Although elevated eye pressure is a risk factor, many glaucoma patients can develop glaucoma without pressure elevation. The exact mechanism of glaucoma nerve damage is not fully understood but studies have shown that lowering eye pressure reduces the progression of the disease.
POAG has no symptoms. You cannot see it , you cannot feel it, you cannot tell that you have it. That's what makes glaucoma so dangerous. The eye pressure elevation occurs because not enough fluid drains from the eye. Current treatment attempts to decrease fluid creation in the eye and increase fluid outflow from the eye (see diagram below).
