[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-causes-glaucoma\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-causes-glaucoma\/","headline":"What causes glaucoma\u200b?","name":"What causes glaucoma\u200b?","description":"What causes glaucoma?\r\nGlaucoma can develop slowly and may not cause clear symptoms at first. Age, family history, eye pressure and other eye conditions can all affect your risk.\r\nOur latest blog explains what causes glaucoma, the different types, how it is found and why regular eye tests matter.\r\nRead the full guide from My Eye Clinic in Gosforth and learn more about protecting your vision.\r\n","datePublished":"2026-10-09","dateModified":"2026-10-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/#Person","name":"My Eye Clinic","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/author\/myeyeclinic\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8387103c2072d667018bc0a76890e72a3a28b15f0cb4d824dadcb29a5e8e13d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"My Eye Clinic Gosforth","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Retina-Sticky-Header-Logo-v2-166x120-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","width":167,"height":122}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/What-causes-glaucoma\u200b-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/What-causes-glaucoma\u200b-Rob-Boyce-My-Eye-Clinic-Newcastle.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-causes-glaucoma\/","about":["Eye Health"],"wordCount":1415,"articleBody":"What causes glaucoma\u200b?Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends messages from your eyes to your brain, helping you see.One of the main links between glaucoma and eye health is pressure inside the eye. But high eye pressure is not the only cause of glaucoma. Some people can develop glaucoma even when their eye pressure is within the normal range.Glaucoma often develops slowly, so you may not notice a change in your sight at first. This is why regular eye tests are so important. Finding glaucoma early can help protect your vision.What causes glaucoma?Damage to the optic nerveGlaucoma develops when the optic nerve becomes damaged. This damage can affect your field of vision and, without treatment, may lead to permanent sight loss.The exact reason the optic nerve becomes damaged can be different from person to person. In many cases, pressure inside the eye plays a part. However, other factors can also affect how healthy the optic nerve is.Your eye care professional can check your eye pressure and look at your optic nerve during an eye examination.How eye pressure can cause damageThe front part of your eye contains a clear fluid called aqueous humour. This fluid is always being made and drained from the eye.If the fluid cannot drain properly, pressure inside the eye can rise. Over time, this pressure may put stress on the optic nerve and cause damage.However, having high eye pressure does not always mean you have glaucoma. Some people have high eye pressure without optic nerve damage. This is known as ocular hypertension.Glaucoma can also happen when eye pressure is not high. This is known as normal-tension glaucoma.What increases the risk of glaucoma?Getting olderYour risk of glaucoma increases as you get older. It is more common in adults over the age of 50, although it can affect people at younger ages too.As we get older, regular eye tests become especially important. Glaucoma can develop without causing obvious symptoms, so you may not know there is a problem.Family historyGlaucoma can run in families. If a close family member has glaucoma, your risk may be higher.Tell your optometrist if a parent, brother or sister has glaucoma. Your eye care professional can advise you about how often you should have your eyes checked.Other eye conditionsSome eye conditions can increase the risk of glaucoma. Previous eye injuries, inflammation inside the eye and certain problems affecting the structure of the eye may all play a role.This is why a full eye assessment is important. Checking eye pressure alone is not enough to find every case of glaucoma.Certain medicinesSome medicines can increase eye pressure in certain people. Steroid medicines, for example, can sometimes cause a rise in eye pressure.Steroids can be used in different forms, including eye drops, tablets, creams and inhalers. If you use steroid medicines and are concerned about glaucoma, speak to your doctor or eye care professional. Do not stop prescribed medicine without medical advice.Can stress cause glaucoma?Stress itself is not usually considered a direct cause of glaucoma.However, long-term health and lifestyle factors can affect your overall wellbeing. Looking after your general health, attending regular eye tests and following any treatment recommended by your eye care professional are important parts of looking after your eyes.If you are worried about your risk of glaucoma, an eye examination can help give you a clearer picture of your eye health.Can diabetes cause glaucoma?Diabetes does not directly cause every type of glaucoma, but it can increase the risk of certain eye problems.Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the retina and, in some cases, lead to a type of glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. This is a less common form of the condition.If you have diabetes, regular eye checks are important. Your healthcare team can help monitor your eyes and look for signs of diabetes-related eye disease.What are the different types of glaucoma?Open-angle glaucomaOpen-angle glaucoma is the most common type. It usually develops slowly over many years.The drainage area of the eye remains open, but fluid does not drain as well as it should. This can cause eye pressure to rise and may damage the optic nerve.Because the condition often develops slowly, you may not notice anything is wrong until some vision has been affected.Normal-tension glaucomaNormal-tension glaucoma can cause optic nerve damage even when eye pressure is within the usual range.The exact cause is not fully understood. Some people may have an optic nerve that is more sensitive to pressure.This shows why a normal eye pressure reading does not always mean your eyes are free from glaucoma.Angle-closure glaucomaAngle-closure glaucoma happens when the drainage area becomes blocked.It can sometimes develop suddenly. This can cause severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, headaches, nausea or vomiting, and coloured rings around lights.Sudden symptoms like these need urgent medical attention.Secondary glaucomaSecondary glaucoma happens because of another eye condition, injury, medicine or health problem.For example, inflammation inside the eye, an eye injury or certain medicines may increase the risk. Treatment will depend on what is causing the glaucoma.Can glaucoma be prevented?There is no guaranteed way to prevent glaucoma. Some risk factors, such as age and family history, cannot be changed.However, regular eye tests can help find glaucoma early. This is important because glaucoma can cause damage before you notice changes to your sight.If you are at higher risk, your optometrist may recommend more regular checks or further testing.How is glaucoma diagnosed?An eye test can check for signs of glaucomaDuring an eye examination, your optometrist can check different parts of your eye to look for signs of glaucoma.This may include measuring the pressure inside your eyes and looking at the optic nerve. Your field of vision may also be checked to see how well you can see objects to the side.If there are signs that you may have glaucoma, you may be referred for further tests with an eye specialist.Why early diagnosis matters in treatment of eye conditionsGlaucoma can cause permanent damage to your vision, but treatment can help slow or stop further damage.The earlier glaucoma is found, the sooner your eye care team can monitor the condition and recommend treatment where needed.This is why you should not wait until you notice a problem with your vision before having your eyes checked.What happens if you have glaucoma?Treatment can help protect your sight from damageThere is no cure for glaucoma, but treatment can help control the condition.Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, treatment may include prescription eye drops, laser treatment or surgery. The main aim is usually to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve.Your eye specialist will explain which treatment is most suitable for you.Regular checks are importantGlaucoma is usually a long-term condition. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you will need regular appointments to check your eye pressure, optic nerve and vision.Your treatment may also need to change over time. Following your treatment plan and attending your appointments can help protect your sight.When should you seek help for glaucoma?Most glaucoma develops slowly, but sudden symptoms can be a warning sign of acute angle-closure glaucoma.If you develop severe eye pain, a very red eye, sudden blurred vision, a severe headache, nausea or vomiting, or coloured rings around lights, seek urgent medical help.Do not wait for these symptoms to go away on their own.Take care of your eye health\u00a0Glaucoma can have several causes, and sometimes there is no single reason why someone develops it. Age, family history, eye pressure and other eye or health conditions can all play a role.The most important thing you can do is have regular eye tests, especially if you have a higher risk of glaucoma. Early detection can give you the best chance of protecting your vision.If you are considering vision correction or lens surgery, understanding your eye health is also an important part of knowing which treatments may be suitable for you.Take our quick suitability self-test to learn more about your options and take the first step towards clearer vision.Your best vision could still be ahead of you."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"What causes glaucoma\u200b?","item":"https:\/\/www.myeyeclinicgosforth.com\/what-causes-glaucoma\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]