Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is slowly damaged. The optic nerve is the “cable” that carries images from the eye to the brain.
When it is damaged, you first lose parts of your side vision (visual field), and later your central vision. High pressure inside the eye is an important cause, but not the only one.
Glaucoma usually develops slowly and without pain, so many people notice it late. Vision that is already lost cannot be restored.
The good news: when glaucoma is found and treated early, in the great majority of cases it can be stopped and your sight preserved.
How common is glaucoma?
Worldwide, an estimated 76+ million people live with glaucoma; around 112 million are expected by 2040. In Switzerland, an estimated 100 000 people are affected – about half of them do not know it.
