Glaucoma is more common in older people. In glaucoma, the pressure in the anterior cavity of the eye increases to an abnormal level. It exerts pressure on the posterior cavity and greatly reduces the blood supply to the retina.
There are two types of glaucoma--acute and chronic. Thankfully the acute form is rare, but nonetheless when it does occur, immediate treatment should be sought to prevent permanent loss of vision. Worldwide, it is the major cause of blindness.
Some of the early symptoms to watch out for are blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, teary eyes, and headaches. In the more serious forms there can be sudden eye pain, again blurred vision, halos of lights, even nausea and vomiting.
 The pressures that build up within the eyeball is just like a sink that is filling up with water and with the drain closed. If you place some kind of a flexible cover over the sink, the cover will start to bulge outward. Similarly, this is what happens inside the eyeball, and if left untreated can lead to impaired vision or permanent blindness.

The eye normally discharges this buildup of fluid through a network of tissues called a “drainage angle.” Problems begin when proper drainage within the eyeball does not take place through this area called the “drainage angle,” which is located between the iris and the cornea. As long as this “drainage angle” does not function correctly, the pressures will continue to build in the eyeball, and this in turn will reduce the blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve.
Diet is also an important factor in causing glaucoma. Lack of nutrients ultimately damages the nerve cells of the retina. Without nourishment from the blood, fibers of the optic nerve can die.
When excessive pressure is detected certain treatment may be used to reduce the pressure. This condition is easily treated through the use of a laser, i.e. by creating a small opening in the iris to relieve the pressure, or even creating a new opening that will successfully correct this potentially debilitating disease. Even the drugs are also used to increase the rate of drainage of aqueous humour or the removal of a portion of the iris to improve the flow of the fluid. If the pressure is due to blockage of the canal of the Schlemm, a new canal can be created surgically.
Get your eyes checked by the doctor after the age of 40. This is a relatively silent disease that can strike at anytime. Glaucoma is treatable, even the acute form and even if that is present, proper immediate treatment will restore normal vision. In chronic glaucoma, early detection is the only known cure at this time.
If a person is taking certain medications such as for asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, or an antidepressant, they should regularly scheduled an eye exam as certain medication can bring on symptoms of this disease.