What causes glaucoma?

Although the exact causes of primary glaucoma have not yet been established, in most cases, the level of intraocular pressure is related to the degree of glaucomatous damage observed. Independently or in addition to intraocular pressure, other factors — including an insufficient supply of oxygen to the optic nerve head, excessive stimulation of the glutamate system, and the formation of free radicals and inflammatory cytokines — may individually or collectively contribute to the development of glaucomatous damage.^[1][2]