This pressure can cause damage to the cells that form the optic nerve, the structure responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. The damage is progressive with loss of peripheral vision first, followed by reductions in central vision and, potentially, blindness. Therefore, the person with glaucoma is usually unaware of it until serious loss of vision has occurred. In fact, half of those suffering damage from glaucoma do not know it. Currently, damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed.
Research seeks to find a cure.
Glaucoma occurs when there is too much fluid pressure in the eye, usually because the plumbing system is not working correctly. The drainage canals may become clogged or covered over, but the ciliary tissues continue to produce fluid. In other words, the faucet is still turned on, but the sink's drain is blocked or its pipes are clogged. In glaucoma, the increased fluid pressure builds up and pushes the optic nerve back into a cupped or concave shape. If the intraocular pressure remains too high for too long, the extra pressure damages parts of the optic nerve.