Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Illnesses and conditions
  4. A to Z

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes loss of vision, or reduced vision, if it is not detected and treated early enough. It usually happens when pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve. Visit an opticians or your GP if you have any concerns about your vision.

Symptoms of glaucoma 

Glaucoma affects your vision when the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, becomes damaged. It usually occurs when the fluid in the eye cannot drain properly. This increases the pressure inside the eye and puts pressure on the optic nerve.

Glaucoma doesn't usually cause symptoms to begin with. It is often only picked up during a routine eye test.

Many people don't realise they have it. This is because it develops slowly over many years and tends to cause a loss of peripheral vision (the edge of your vision) at first.

Both eyes are usually affected, although it may be worse in one eye. Without treatment, it can eventually lead to blindness.

Very occasionally, glaucoma can develop suddenly and cause:

  • intense eye pain
  • a red eye
  • a headache
  • tenderness around the eyes
  • seeing rings around lights
  • blurred vision

When to get medical advice 

Visit an opticians or your GP if you have any concerns about your vision.

If you have glaucoma, early diagnosis and treatment can help stop your vision getting worse.

If you develop symptoms of glaucoma suddenly (see above), go to your nearest eye casualty unit or emergency department as soon as possible.

This is a medical emergency that may require immediate treatment.

Types of glaucoma 

There are several different types of glaucoma.

Some of the main types include:

  • primary open angle glaucoma – the most common type, which tends to develop slowly over many years
  • primary angle closure glaucoma – an uncommon type that can develop slowly or quickly
  • secondary glaucoma – glaucoma caused by an underlying eye condition, such as uveitis (inflammation of the eye)
  • normal tension glaucoma – where the pressure inside the eye is at a normal level
  • childhood glaucoma (congenital glaucoma) – a rare type that occurs in very young children, caused by an abnormality of the eye

Causes of glaucoma 

Glaucoma is usually caused by a blockage in the part of the eye that allows fluid to drain from it. This can lead to a build-up of fluid and pressure in the eye and can damage the optic nerve.

It's often unclear exactly what causes it. There are some things that can increase your risk, including:

  • your age – it can affect people of all ages but is most common in adults in their 70s and 80s (glaucoma becomes more likely as you get older)
  • your ethnicity – people of African, Caribbean or Asian origin are at a higher risk of glaucoma
  • your family history – you're more likely to develop glaucoma if you have a parent or sibling with the condition

It's not clear whether you can do anything to prevent glaucoma. But having regular eye tests will help make sure it's picked up as early as possible, and that you can stop your vision getting worse.

Tests for glaucoma 

Glaucoma can usually be detected during a routine eye test at an opticians. This is often before it causes any noticeable symptoms.

Several quick and painless tests can be carried out to check for glaucoma.

You should have a routine eye test at least every two years. 

If tests suggest you have glaucoma, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to discuss treatment.

  • Read about free sight tests for over-60s

Treatments for glaucoma 

It's not possible to reverse any loss of vision that occurred before glaucoma was diagnosed. But treatment can help stop your vision getting any worse.

The treatment recommended for you will depend on the type of glaucoma you have. Your GP or hospital consultant will discuss your treatment options with you.

You'll also probably need regular appointments. This is to monitor your condition and make sure treatment is working.

Outlook for glaucoma 

The outlook for glaucoma largely depends on the type of glaucoma you have, but generally:

  • it often results in some degree of permanent vision loss, although most people retain useful vision for life
  • it may affect your ability to do certain tasks, such as driving
  • only a small number of people will end up totally blind

The outlook is better the earlier glaucoma is diagnosed and treated.

This is why it's so important to get your eyes tested regularly and to make sure you follow your recommended treatment plan.

  • Find out more about glaucoma on the NHS website

More useful links

  • How to use your health services
  • Eye care

The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

For further information see terms and conditions.

Health conditions A to Z

Or find conditions beginning with A to Z…

Skip A to Z menu
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Related conditions

  • Red eye
  • Uveitis

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS