Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight,” and with good reason. In its early stages, it is usually asymptomatic, so many people are unaware they are developing this eye condition until their vision has been permanently impaired.
So, how can you protect your vision from this common eye condition? Keep reading to learn more about what the early warning signs of glaucoma are.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damages the optic nerve, the structure of the eye responsible for sending visual information to the brain. This happens when the aqueous humor, fluid constantly flowing in and out of the eye, cannot drain properly.
As more and more aqueous humor collects in the eye, it raises intraocular pressure and damages the optic nerve, impairing vision. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and accounts for approximately 90% of all glaucoma diagnoses.
This form of glaucoma typically first affects peripheral or side vision, but as it progresses, it can cause loss of central vision. The vision impairment caused by glaucoma is permanent and cannot be reversed.
What are the Early Warning Signs of Glaucoma?
The reason so many patients experience irreversible vision loss from glaucoma is that there are often no early warning signs of the condition. It tends to develop slowly over time, and once damage has occurred, vision cannot be restored.
As glaucoma progresses, it starts to slowly and subtly impact clear vision, with symptoms like:
Changes in Peripheral Vision
The earliest warning sign of glaucoma is often gradual changes in peripheral vision. It can cause blind spots in your side vision, making it difficult to see people or objects at certain angles.
Difficulty Seeing in Low-Light Conditions
When the optic nerve is damaged, your eyes have trouble adapting to changing light levels. You might notice it takes longer for your eyes to adjust when coming inside after being outside, especially if it’s sunny.
Halos Around Lights
Increased intraocular pressure can also cause the cornea to swell, affecting how light enters the eye. This can cause you to see halos or rainbow-colored rings around bright lights, like car headlights and streetlights.
Frequent Prescription Changes
Frequent changes to your eye prescription can indicate that pressure is starting to build up within your eyes. It can indicate issues with your optic nerve or other ocular structures.
It is important to note that not all types of glaucoma develop in the same way. Unlike the slowly progressing signs of open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma can cause a sudden onset of symptoms and requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe vision loss.
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
The best way to prevent vision loss from glaucoma is to attend frequent eye exams with your ophthalmologist at Rosenthal Eye Surgery. They will perform various tests to detect glaucoma before it affects your eyesight and begin prompt treatment to help regulate your intraocular pressure and prevent the condition from progressing further.
These tests may include tonometry, which measures eye pressure, visual field testing to assess your peripheral vision, and pupil dilation to examine the optic nerve and structures at the back of your eye.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
There is no cure for glaucoma, but treatments are available to lower intraocular pressure and prevent further vision loss. Depending on how far your glaucoma has progressed, your eye doctor may recommend treatments, including prescription eye drops, laser procedures, and surgical procedures.
It’s important to note that glaucoma treatment cannot reverse any damage that has already occurred, which is why it is important to stay vigilant about protecting yourself from the condition. By staying up to date on your eye exams, you can help prevent vision loss from glaucoma and ensure your treatment is as effective as possible.
Do you want to learn more about safeguarding your sight from glaucoma? Schedule an appointment at Rosenthal Eye Surgery in Long Island, NY, today!
