Glaucoma​

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital to good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye. It is a vision-threatening disorder characterized by slow loss of optic nerve fibres. Unfortunately, the most common type of glaucoma has no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition has reached an advanced stage.

Susceptibility to this disease depends on a variety of factors including the level of pressure in the eye, a genetic tendency and older age. 

Glaucoma sometimes is caused by an abnormal build-up of a clear fluid called aqueous humour inside the eyeball. Normally drained away and replaced by the eye, the fluid is critical for bringing nutrients to the lens and cornea and removing waste material.

It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Vision loss due to glaucoma can't be recovered. If glaucoma is recognized at an early stage, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have the condition, you'll usually need treatment for the rest of your life. Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people, scientists have identified genes related to high eye pressure and optic nerve damage.​

When to seek expert advice

​Promptly rush to the Department of Emergency Medicine​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital or an ophthalmologist's office at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences​ of The Aga Khan University Hospital if you experience some of the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma, such as severe headache, eye pain and blurred vision.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at The Aga Khan University Hospital offers comprehensive glaucoma care and second opinion consultations for all forms of glaucoma. Our staff often provides evaluations of diagnosis or treatment options to patients when these are requested by the eye physicians or when patients desire our opinion themselves.

We, at The Aga Khan University Hospital care for infants and children, adults, and all forms of glaucoma, whether primary or related to complex eye problems. Medical treatment, laser therapies, and surgical procedures for glaucoma are available.

Our Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences​ specialists are studying new methods to improve glaucoma care, including stem cell research, gene therapy, preventive programs for glaucoma worldwide, improved diagnostic imaging, and methods to make glaucoma surgery safer. ​