Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that cause optic nerve damage. The optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain and is essential for good vision. High eye pressure is frequently associated with optic nerve damage. However, glaucoma can develop even with normal eye pressure. If caught early it is treatable.

Glaucoma affects Afrcan Americans about 10 years earlier than other racial/ethnic populations, with a higher rate of vision loss. However, the condition has been understudied in this population.