glaucoma

American  

[glaw-koh-muh, glau-] / glɔˈkoʊ mə, glaʊ- /

noun

• glaucomas
  plural

1. Ophthalmology. abnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains open-angle glaucoma, or chronic glaucoma or by pressure of the iris against the lens, which traps the aqueous humor angle-closure glaucoma, or acute glaucoma.

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glaucoma British  

/ ɡlɔːˈkəʊmə /

noun

1. a disease of the eye in which pressure within the eyeball damages the optic disc, impairing vision, sometimes progressing to blindness

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glaucoma Scientific  

/ glou-kō′mə,glô- /

1. A disease of the eye in which the pressure of fluid inside the eyeball is abnormally high, caused by obstructed outflow of the fluid. The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

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glaucoma Cultural  

1. A disease of the eye marked by increased fluid pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and may result in blindness if not treated. Surgery may be required for severe cases.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• glaucomatous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• glaucomas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of glaucoma

First recorded in 1635–45; Latin glaucōma, from Greek glaúkōma “opacity of the eye lens, cataract”; see origin at glauco-, -oma (cataracts and glaucoma were not clearly distinguished until the early 18th century)

Explanation

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if it's not treated. It's much more common for elderly people to develop glaucoma than younger people. Glaucoma is usually caused by fluid building up in the eye and increasing the pressure on the optic nerve. Although glaucoma causes a lot of the blindness in people older than 60, it's almost always treatable if it's diagnosed early enough. The word glaucoma comes from the Greek glaukoma, "opacity of the lens," from the root glaukommatos, "gray-eyed."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

glaucoma

Ocular hypertension was 32% more common, while primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, was 33% more likely.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

Instead, they suggest that people taking the medication for extended periods may need appropriate eye screening and follow-up, particularly when other glaucoma risk factors are already present.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

After the verdict, the church leader returned to hospital, where as court has ruled said she can remain until Wednesday due to medical issues including a heart condition, pain from a fall, and glaucoma treatment.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

It was noted the defendant was now in poor health, had diabetes, glaucoma and impaired hearing, had previously had a heart attack and might be experiencing the onset of Parkinson's disease.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

Apparently the seeds are poisonous, but Grandpop eats them every day, which means by now he’s probably had at least a million, and seems fine...minus the whole glaucoma thing.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds