Q: How would I know if I had glaucoma? What are the signs and symptoms?
A: Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in the world, is often called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because in most cases there are usually few or no symptoms until noticeable vision loss occurs. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively affects the optic nerve and, left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. Any vision loss experienced as a result of glaucoma cannot be restored. Glaucoma usually occurs in both eyes, but it may involve each eye to a different extent.
Each type of glaucoma presents differently and sometimes there are no symptoms, particularly with open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma. As the optic nerve fibers are damaged by glaucoma, small blind spots or areas in your vision may occur, usually in your peripheral or side vision. Occasionally, intraocular eye pressure, IOP, can rise to severe levels causing sudden and intense eye pain, headache, blurred vision, or the appearance of halos around lights. Other symptoms may include sudden vision loss, tunnel vision, nausea, or vomiting. If you experience any of these acute symptoms, see your eye doctor immediately.
To diagnose glaucoma, a complete, dilated exam is performed that enables your eye doctor to see and assess your optic nerve which has a particular appearance with glaucoma. Additionally, this screening exam will include measurement of visual acuity, an eye pressure check, and testing that may include a visual field test to check your side vision, and/or an OCT, ocular coherence tomography, to assess the optic nerve.
Glaucoma often progresses undetected until the optic nerve has been irreversibly damaged which causes varying degrees of permanent vision loss. While there is nothing you can do to prevent glaucoma, early detection, and treatment can slow down its development or keep it from progressing. People over 40 with a family history of glaucoma should have a complete eye exam every 1-2 years. Talk to your eye doctor about how frequently you should have a complete exam to safeguard the health of your eyes.