Glaucoma doesn’t warn… but it does leave its mark. What your eyesight is trying to tell you (and perhaps you ignore).
Glaucoma is known in the world of ophthalmology as “the silent disease”.
And no wonder: it can progress for months or years without giving obvious signs… until the visual damage is already done.
But is it really invisible? Not really. Sometimes the body does warn us… even if we don’t know how to interpret the signals.
Early signs you should not ignore
Dr. José Iglesias, glaucoma specialist, reminds us that small changes in our daily vision can be important clues. For example:
Blurred vision at times, especially in low light or when changing environment.
Sensation of pressure or discomfort inside the eye, as if wearing glasses that are too tight.
Colored halos around lights (those rainbow-like circles you see at night around streetlights or cars).
Loss of vision to the sides (even if you can still see straight ahead, you start bumping into things or not seeing people approaching from the side).
Elevated eye pressure detected in a routine checkup, even if you do not have any symptoms.
Dr. Iglesias explains in depth all these symptoms and how to deal with them. The most treacherous aspect of glaucoma is that the obvious symptoms appear when 40% of the nerve fibers have already been lost.
At that moment, peripheral vision begins to disappear, as if you were looking through a narrow tube (what we call tunnel vision).
And once the optic nerve is damaged, there is no turning back. Treatment does not recover what has been lost, but it can stop or slow down the progression of the disease.
That is why early detection is key
Taking care of your vision also means prevention
As specialists in visual health, at presbit.com we always insist on the same thing:
“Don’t wait until you notice something unusual to check your eyesight.”
Many people discover they have glaucoma at routine checkups, without having any apparent symptoms.
And that is just the best possible news: when there is still time to stop its progression with treatment (eye drops, laser or surgery, depending on the case).
Frequently asked questions about glaucoma
No. Although it is more common after the age of 60, there are types of glaucoma (such as open-angle or congenital glaucoma) that can occur in young adults, children and even infants.
There is no cure, but there is a treatment. With early diagnosis and proper follow-up, its progression can be slowed and useful vision can be preserved for life.
Not necessarily. There are people with high eye pressure who never develop glaucoma (ocular hypertension), and others with “normal” pressure who do (normal tension glaucoma). That’s why comprehensive checkups are so important.
No. Glaucoma is not self-diagnosed. Only an ophthalmologist can detect it through tests such as tonometry (eye pressure), campimetry (visual field) and optic nerve examination.
Stress does not directly cause glaucoma, but it can temporarily raise eye pressure. Some postures (such as yoga with the head down) are also not recommended in people already diagnosed. Always consult with your specialist.
If you have parents or siblings with glaucoma, a complete annual checkup is ideal starting at age 40 (or even earlier if there are additional symptoms or risk factors).
Are you over 40 years old, have a family history of glaucoma or notice any of the symptoms we have mentioned?
This article has a purely informative and divulgative purpose. It is not a substitute for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified health professional. If you experience any visual symptoms or have doubts about your eye health, consult an ophthalmologist. Presbit.com is not responsible for the use of this information without medical supervision.