28/01/2026
Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve. It can occur without any cause, but many factors can affect the condition. The most important of these risk factors is intraocular eye pressure.
The eyes produce a fluid called aqueous humor that nourishes them. This liquid flows through the pupil to the front of the eye. In a healthy eye, the fluid drains through mesh-like canals (trabecular meshwork), which is where the iris and cornea come together at an angle.
With glaucoma, the resistance increases in the drainage canals. The fluid has nowhere to go, so it builds up in the eye. This excess fluid puts pressure on the eye, and eventually, this elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to glaucoma.
