What are the Early Signs of Glaucoma I Shouldn’t Ignore?

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” for a reason—most people don’t notice any early signs until the damage is done. That’s because glaucoma doesn’t cause pain or obvious vision changes in its earliest stages, making it especially dangerous. This is why regular comprehensive eye exams at Northeast Eye Care are important, even if you think your vision is fine! 

Why is glaucoma called the “silent thief of sight”? 

Glaucoma gradually damages the optic nerve, which connects your eyes to your brain. This nerve sends the visual information your eyes capture to your brain, allowing you to see. When the optic nerve is damaged, your brain doesn’t receive the full picture, leading to vision loss. This damage often happens so slowly that people don’t realize it’s occurring until they’ve already lost some peripheral (side) vision. Unfortunately, by the time you notice a problem, the condition is likely in a more advanced stage. 

What are some early signs of glaucoma? 

While it’s true that many people won’t notice early symptoms of glaucoma, there are a few signs that could indicate a problem: 

• Loss of peripheral vision: You may notice that objects in the sides of your vision are blurry, affecting your ability to move around safely, but this typically happens later in the disease. 
• Halos around lights: Some people see rainbow-colored rings around bright lights, particularly at night or in low light. 
• Blurry vision or tunnel vision: Your vision may become fuzzy, or you may feel like you’re looking through a narrow tunnel. 
• Eye pain or redness: Sudden discomfort or visible redness in the eye could be signs of a more acute form of glaucoma. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s critical to see our eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis and glaucoma treatment in Pender, West Point, or Oakland. However, relying on symptoms alone isn’t enough. For most people, the best—and sometimes only—way to detect glaucoma early is through regular comprehensive eye exams. 

What are the risk factors for glaucoma? 

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk. Knowing these risk factors can help you be more vigilant about regular eye exams: 

• Age: Glaucoma becomes more common as you get older, especially after age 60. 
• Family history: If glaucoma runs in your family, your risk is much higher. Be sure to share your family history with your eye doctor. 
• Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for glaucoma, often developing the disease at a younger age and with more severe vision loss. 
• High eye pressure: People with elevated intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye) are at greater risk, even if they don’t have symptoms yet. 
• Previous eye injuries: Eye trauma can increase your risk of developing glaucoma, even years after the injury. 
• Medical conditions: People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease are more susceptible to developing glaucoma. 
• Long-term steroid use: Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, particularly in the eyes, can also raise your risk. 

Why comprehensive eye exams are important 

At Northeast Eye Care, our eye doctors in Pender, West Point, and Oakland use advanced technology to assess your eye health and screen for glaucoma, even before you notice anything is wrong. These exams measure eye pressure, check the health of your optic nerve, and assess your field of vision—all key steps in catching glaucoma early. 

By scheduling regular eye exams, you can help protect your vision and catch glaucoma before it steals your sight. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear; schedule an appointment today at our West Point, Pender, or Oakland location!