Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can sneak up on you. Most people don’t notice symptoms until they have already suffered severe vision loss. That’s why it’s important to visit your eye doctor regularly so they can diagnose and treat glaucoma before it impacts your vision. While treatment can’t restore vision after it has been lost to glaucoma, it can preserve your remaining sight. Learn more about this condition and the early signs that indicate it’s time for an eye exam.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. You can think of the optic nerve as the electrical cable that sends images from your eye to your brain. The optic nerve plays an essential role in your vision, and any damage to it can lead to vision loss and even blindness. In most cases, glaucoma is related to increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common ones are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma develops slowly and often doesn’t show symptoms until the advanced stages, while angle-closure glaucoma can occur suddenly and cause severe symptoms. Angle-closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency because it can cause irreversible blindness without timely treatment.
Early symptoms of glaucoma
Glaucoma can be challenging to detect because some forms of glaucoma cause subtle symptoms or no symptoms at all. That’s why half of the people with glaucoma don’t even realize they have the condition. Over time, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision: The main sign of glaucoma is usually side (peripheral) vision loss. People with glaucoma may not see objects to the side or out of the corner of their eye. It might seem like you’re looking through a tunnel, also known as tunnel vision. This vision loss happens so gradually that you might not notice it until it’s more advanced.
- Blurred vision: You might notice your vision becoming blurry, which can affect your ability to see clearly at different distances. This blurriness might come and go, so be on the lookout for any vision changes.
- Eye pain or discomfort: Some people with glaucoma experience dull aches or sharp pain in their eyes. This pain might occur alongside headaches and can be very uncomfortable.
- Red eyes: If your eye is red and you also have severe pain and nausea, you may have acute angle-closure glaucoma. These symptoms can be a sign that the pressure in your eyes has become dangerously high and needs immediate attention from a medical professional.
- Seeing halos around lights: If you start seeing rainbow-colored halos around lights, especially at night, it might be a sign of glaucoma. This often occurs in low-light conditions or when driving.
- Nausea and vomiting: Acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause sudden nausea and vomiting due to a rapid increase in eye pressure. This situation requires urgent medical care.
Why early detection is important
Early treatment can slow or stop the damage caused by glaucoma. If you catch it early, you can take steps to protect your vision and keep it from getting worse. Regular eye exams help keep track of your intraocular pressure and manage it effectively. If you’re at risk of developing glaucoma, such as having a family history of the condition or certain medical conditions like diabetes, it’s even more critical to see an eye doctor regularly. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, treatment might include eye drops, medication, laser therapy, or surgery.
At Giles Eye Care, Dr. Giles can diagnose glaucoma early on and recommend treatment to manage the symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns or if it’s been a while since your last eye exam.