What is the prognosis for a patient with untreated glaucoma?

The prognosis for a patient with untreated glaucoma is progressive vision loss. Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure. If left untreated, this elevated pressure continues to affect the optic nerve, leading to irreversible damage and gradual loss of vision. Over time, this can progress from peripheral vision loss to eventual blindness if not managed.

In contrast, worsening headaches, improvement in night vision, or stable vision with no changes do not align with the typical outcomes associated with untreated glaucoma. Headaches may occur due to pressure but are not a definitive outcome of the condition. Improvement in night vision contradicts the effects of glaucoma, as vision typically deteriorates. Likewise, stable vision would not occur since untreated glaucoma almost always leads to some degree of vision loss as the disease progresses. Thus, the correct understanding of untreated glaucoma focuses on the likelihood of ongoing deterioration in visual function.