Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye condition where your optic nerve is damaged by the pressure of the fluid inside your eye. Most types of glaucoma have no symptoms, so a regular eye test is the only way to know you have the condition. Treatment with drops can often prevent glaucoma causing sight loss.
We’ve put together a clear guide to the condition, as well as practical and emotional support to help you both understand and live confidently with glaucoma.
Understanding glaucoma
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions that cause permanent sight loss by damaging your optic nerve.
You may not notice any difference in your vision because glaucoma affects your peripheral vision (also known as your side vision) first. As your peripheral vision is not as sensitive as your central vision, it’s difficult to notice any early changes to your vision – but your sight is being damaged.
There is no treatment to restore sight loss caused by glaucoma but treatments, such as eye drops and laser surgery, can help prevent sight loss from happening.
Download our 'Understanding glaucoma' guide
Our Understanding glaucoma guide is accredited by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
It’s designed to give you a detailed understanding of your eye condition and helpful advice on next steps.
- Download Understanding glaucoma as a PDF (PDF, 525KB)
- Download Understanding glaucoma in Word format (Word, 61.5KB)
- Download Understanding glaucoma in Welsh as a PDF (PDF, 850KB)
Causes of glaucoma
Glaucoma can be caused by raised eye pressure or a weakness in your optic nerve.
Your eye needs a certain amount of pressure to keep the eyeball healthy and in the right shape. But if the pressure is too high, it can cause your optic nerve to become damaged at the point where it leaves your eye.
RNIB has enabled me to be myself again. I can't thank them enough.
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Types of glaucoma
Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)
Acute angle closure glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma
Congenital glaucoma
Treatment
Alex's top tips for putting in eye drops
"Knowing RNIB is there is so reassuring, like a comfort blanket." - Peter Seaman
Recently diagnosed with glaucoma
Lots of people who have treatment for their glaucoma don't have any sight problems because the treatment prevents sight loss.
But if your glaucoma does cause changes to your sight we’re here to support you every step of the way, and to answer any questions you may have about your sight loss or day-to-day living.
Helpful downloads
Getting emotional support
Benefits, concessions and registering your sight loss
- Benefits, concessions and registration (PDF, 2.4MB)
- Benefits, concessions and registration (Word, 180KB)
Staying in work
Get in touch
If you've got any questions, speak to us by calling our Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
"Knowing RNIB is there is so reassuring, like a comfort blanket."
Peter Seaman
Living confidently with glaucoma
We can help you maximise your vision and make the most of the sight you have.
If you haven’t already now would be a good time to join RNIB Connect, our connected community for everyone affected by sight loss.
Make use of our free Talking Book service
Helpful downloads
Making the most of your sight
Leisure
Managing your money
Nutritional supplements and AMD
A healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, as well as regular eye tests, can help to keep your eyes as healthy as possible. Find out more about the research into the role of diet and supplements in the prevention and progression of AMD.
Products from our shop that could help
Helpful organisations
The International Glaucoma Association provides support and information to people with glaucoma
NHS direct is the website for the NHS Direct health advice services, with information and advice about glaucoma
