What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is necessary for good vision. It often occurs when the pressure inside the eye is too high, damaging the delicate nerve fibers. If untreated, glaucoma may lead to permanent vision loss.

What Are the Causes of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma usually occurs when fluid accumulates in the eye, resulting in an increase in pressure within the eyeball. This pressure increases even further if it is not drained away properly.

Most cases of glaucoma can be traced to three main causes: abnormally high intraocular pressure, abnormally low fluid production, and abnormal fluid drainage.

Abnormally High Intraocular Pressure
The most common cause of glaucoma is an abnormally high pressure inside the eyeball. This condition is known as ocular hypertension and can result from a range of factors, including age, genetics, and certain medical conditions.

Abnormally Low Fluid Production
Sometimes, the eye fails to produce enough of the fluid (aqueous humor) that plays a key role in draining the pressure away. This means that the pressure inside the eye increases, leading to glaucoma.

Abnormal Fluid Drainage
Finally, some people have abnormal drainage angles in the eye, which mean that the fluid produced is unable to drain out of the eye properly. This, too, leads to an increase in intraocular pressure and ultimately glaucoma.

Risk Factors
Although the precise cause of glaucoma is unknown, there are several risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop the condition. These include age, family history, nearsightedness, trauma, high blood pressure, and certain medical conditions.

Conclusion
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to permanent vision loss. The main cause of glaucoma is an abnormally high pressure inside the eye, but it can also be caused by low fluid production or abnormal fluid drainage. Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history and certain medical conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent serious damage to the optic nerve.