The medical condition that causes damage to the optic nerves of the eyes is called Glaucoma. It is often linked to the accumulation of pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) and damages the optic nerve, the nerve that transmits images to the brain.

The fluid inside the eyes is called aqueous humor and flows out of the eye through a mesh-like channel. If the channel gets blocked, the fluid builds up which causes the damage. If the damage continues over a long period of time, glaucoma can lead to a permanent loss of vision.

If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to total permanent blindness within a few years. Most people who suffer from glaucoma do not experience any pain and have no early symptoms.

Inside our eyes, we have a natural lens. The lens bends (refracts) light rays that come into the eye to help us see. The lens should be clear. If you have a cataract, your lens has become cloudy. It is like looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield. Things look blurry, hazy or less colorful.

Aging is the most common cause. This is due to normal eye changes that happen starting around age 40. That is when normal proteins in the lens start to break down. This is what causes the lens to get cloudy. People over age 60 usually start to have some clouding of their lenses. However, vision problems may not happen until years later.

Other causes of cataract may be diabetes, eye injury or certain medications such as corticosteroids.