Glaucoma awareness: protect your sight before it slips away
Glaucoma can steal vision quietly. Many people don’t notice anything until the damage is advanced. That’s why knowing the signs, getting regular checks, and acting fast matter more than hoping you’ll feel a problem coming.
At its core, glaucoma means damage to the optic nerve. Often that damage is linked to higher pressure inside the eye, but not always. The most common type, open-angle glaucoma, progresses slowly and without pain. Another type, angle-closure glaucoma, can come on suddenly and is an emergency.
Signs and when to see an eye doctor
Early glaucoma often affects side (peripheral) vision first. You might not notice until tunnel vision shows up. Watch for these warning signs: gradual loss of peripheral vision, difficulty seeing at night, seeing halos around lights, or sudden eye pain with headache, nausea, or blurred vision (this could be angle-closure glaucoma and needs immediate care).
Who should get checked? If you’re 40 or older, get a baseline eye exam. If you have a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high eye pressure, are of African, Latino, or Asian descent, or use steroid medications regularly, get screened more often—typically every 1 year or as your eye doctor recommends.
What happens at a glaucoma screening? Your eye doctor will measure eye pressure (tonometry), examine the optic nerve with a slit lamp or imaging, and test your visual field. Many offices also use OCT imaging to see subtle nerve changes. These tests are painless and take under 30 minutes.
How glaucoma is treated and what you can do
Treatment aims to lower pressure and slow nerve damage. Most people start with prescription eye drops that reduce fluid production or increase drainage. If drops don’t work or aren’t tolerated, laser procedures (like selective laser trabeculoplasty) or surgical options can help. Your doctor will explain risks and benefits for your case.
Your role matters. Use eye drops exactly as prescribed—missing doses lets pressure rise. Keep follow-up appointments so your doctor can track nerve changes. Tell your provider about all medicines you take; some drugs affect eye pressure. Don’t stop treatment without medical advice.
Simple daily steps support eye health: control blood sugar and blood pressure, avoid smoking, stay active with regular moderate exercise, and protect your eyes from head injury. If you use steroid pills or drops for other conditions, discuss glaucoma risk with the prescribing doctor.
If you get a glaucoma diagnosis, ask clear questions: How fast is it progressing? What are my treatment options? What side effects should I expect? Consider a second opinion before surgery if you feel unsure.
Quick action beats regret. Book an eye exam if you haven’t had one recently, especially if you’re over 40 or have risk factors. Regular checks and early treatment are the simplest, most effective ways to keep your vision for years to come.
