Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma is sometimes called the "silent thief of sight" because it often causes no noticeable symptoms until significant damage has already occurred. This makes it one of the most important conditions to catch through regular eye examinations. Understanding what glaucoma is and who's at risk can help you appreciate why those routine checks matter so much.

Glaucoma refers to a group of conditions where the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. This damage is usually associated with raised pressure inside the eye, though glaucoma can sometimes occur even with normal eye pressure. The increased pressure happens when the fluid that naturally circulates within the eye doesn't drain away properly.

The most common type, chronic open-angle glaucoma, develops very gradually. It typically affects peripheral vision first, creating gaps at the edges of your visual field. Because it happens so slowly and affects side vision initially, many people don't notice anything wrong. By the time symptoms become apparent, irreversible damage may have occurred.

Certain factors increase your risk. Age is significant; glaucoma becomes much more common over 40 and the risk continues to rise with age. Family history is another important factor. If you have a close relative with glaucoma, your risk is considerably higher, and regular screening becomes especially important. People of African or Caribbean heritage have increased risk, as do those who are very short-sighted.

The good news is that when glaucoma is detected early, treatment is usually straightforward and effective. Most people are managed with eye drops that reduce the pressure in the eye. These drops, used daily, can prevent further damage and preserve vision for many years.

At Atlantic Home Eyecare, checking for signs of glaucoma is a standard part of every eye examination. We measure the pressure in your eyes using modern equipment that's comfortable and doesn't require a puff of air. We also examine the optic nerve - these checks can detect glaucoma before you'd ever notice a problem yourself.

If it's been a while since your eyes were tested, particularly if you have risk factors for glaucoma, please don't put it off.