Research suggests that a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables may help stabilize dry macular degeneration. Laser surgery can often slow the progression of wet macular degeneration. Glaucoma Glaucoma is a condition in which the liquid that normally flows in and out of the eye drains too slowly, causing pressure to build up and damage the optic nerve. Nearly three million people have glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Symptoms Initially, there are no noticeable symptoms with open-angle glaucoma.
Vision is normal and there is no pain.
As the disease progresses, side, or peripheral, vision begins to fail. In many cases, loss of vision is not noticed until significant nerve damage has occurred. One type of glaucoma that does produce symptoms is called acute angle-closure. Though rare, it can cause blindness if untreated. The air puff test during an eye exam measures pressure, but glaucoma is most often detected in an eye exam after pupils have been dilated.