Many eye problems come with some signals, such as pain or redness in the eye, irritation, or blurred vision. But glaucoma comes silently. It can quietly damage eyesight while a person feels completely fine.
Many people continue with your daily chores, reading, driving, watching TV, without knowing anything is wrong. And that’s when you get to know that you have glaucoma. That is the actual reason why glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight.
This article will help you understand what glaucoma is, how it can affect you or your dear ones, and why it is crucial to catch it early.
What happens in glaucoma?
Inside the eye there is a nerve known as the optic nerve, very important for seeing clearly. This nerve acts like a wire that sends visuals signals to brain. When it is healthy you are able to see things clearly. Glaucoma damages this nerve gradually.
In many people, this damage happens when pressure inside the eye increases. The fluid inside the eye does not flow out as smoothly as it should. What makes glaucoma especially risky is that, over time it damages the optic nerve without any symptoms.
Why people don’t notice glaucoma early?
The biggest danger with glaucoma is that:
- There is no pain
- There is no redness or discomfort
- Vision slowly starts to reduce
Most people get aware of it when they visit a doctor or when they clearly notice vision problems themselves.
Once the damage has happened, the lost vision cannot be brought back. By the time symptoms appear, a lot of damage has already been done.
Different types of glaucoma explained
Open-angle glaucoma
This is very common type. In this, people usually feel no pain and notice no early warning signs. Vision slowly begins to fade from the side areas and is mostly noticed after a long time. Many people discover this type of glaucoma when they go for a routine eye checkup.
Angle-closure glaucoma
This type of glaucoma is not very common, but it can be dangerous. It happens when the eye’s natural drainage area gets blocked, which causes rapid eye pressure. People may experience symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, redness in the eye, and nausea. Quick medical treatment is very important to prevent serious eye damage.
Normal-tension glaucoma
This harms the optic nerve even though eye pressure stays within a normal range. Doctors are still studying the exact reason, but poor blood flow to the optic nerve may be a reason. Because eye pressure is normal, this type is often difficult to detect and is usually found only through detailed eye tests.
Congenital glaucoma
This rare type starts at birth or develops in early childhood. It happens when the eye’s drainage system does not form properly during development. Babies with this condition may have continuous watering of eyes, sensitivity to light, or eyes that look larger than normal. Early detection is important to protect the child’s eyesight.
Who is at higher risk of developing glaucoma?
Glaucoma can happen to anyone, but some people have a higher risk than others. These include:
- People above 40 years of age
- People with a family history of glaucoma
- People who have diabetes or high blood pressure
- People who use steroid medicines for a long time
- People with a history of eye injury or eye surgery
If you fall into any of these categories, getting regular checkups from your eye specialists is very important to protect your vision.
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?
In the early stages, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms. As the condition slowly gets worse, some symptoms may start to appear, such as:
- Gradual loss of side vision
- Side vision loss (seeing only what is straight ahead)
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
In sudden angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms can appear quickly and may include:
- Severe eye pain
- Red eyes
- Sudden blurred vision
- Halos around lights
- Headache and nausea
If you notice sudden eye pain or sudden changes in vision, seek medical help immediately, as this can be an emergency.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
Since glaucoma does not show early symptoms, detecting it just by how your eyes feel can be difficult. A proper eye checkup is needed to find it early. An eye doctor may do a few simple and painless tests, such as:
- Check if the pressure inside your eye is high with the help of eye pressure test.
- Look at the optic nerve to see if there is any damage.
- Doctor might ask if you are able to see from sides to make sure for tunnel vision.
- Check how well the fluid is draining from your eye.
These tests do not take much time and are usually done during a routine eye exam. Many people find out they have glaucoma during a regular checkup.
Tips for prevention
Glaucoma cannot be completely prevented, but you can reduce the risk of serious vision loss by taking some important steps:
- Get regular eye checkups, especially if you are above 40 years of age
- Check your family history and inform your doctor if anyone in your family has or had glaucoma
- Take good care of your diabetes and blood pressure and keep them under control
- Avoid using steroid medicines unless your doctor has advised them
- Always protect your eyes from injury and wear safety eyewear when needed
Treatment options that can control glaucoma
If glaucoma has already developed, it cannot be cured, and the lost vision cannot be brought back. However, there are treatments that can slow down or stop it from getting worse. These may include eye drops, medicines prescribed by the doctor, laser treatment, or surgery.
With early diagnosis, proper Glaucoma treatment, and regular follow-ups, many people with glaucoma are able to protect their remaining vision and live a normal life.
Final thoughts
Glaucoma develops quietly, but its impact can be life-changing. It can slowly make everyday activities difficult, such as driving, reading newspapers, or using a mobile phone. Because glaucoma often has no early symptoms, many people do not realize anything is wrong. By the time symptoms appear, a large amount of vision may already be lost.
The only real solution is early detection. If you notice anything unusual with your eyes, get an eye checkup immediately. Even otherwise, regular eye exams at fixed intervals are very important. If you or your loved ones have not had an eye checkup yet, now is the right time. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not assume vision problems are just due to aging. Take care of your eyes and help spread awareness about glaucoma.
