What Is Glaucoma? Why Early Detection Matters All Year Long

Dr. Leena Panaich
10 hours ago
2 min read

By Dr. Leena Panaich, Optometrist at Lynn Valley Optometry

Glaucoma Awareness Month may be in January, but this is one eye disease that deserves attention all year long. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss, and the tricky part? Most people don’t realize they have it until damage has already occurred.

That’s why it’s often called the “silent thief of sight.”

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve, which sends visual information from your eyes to your brain. In many cases, it’s related to high pressure inside the eye, though it can also occur with normal pressure.

It usually develops slowly and without pain. Vision loss often starts in your side vision, making it easy to miss without regular eye exams.

Who is at Risk for Glaucoma?

While anyone can develop glaucoma, your risk is higher if you:

Are over 60
Have a family history of glaucoma
Have higher eye pressure
Have thin corneas
Have had a past eye injury or surgery

If any of these apply to you, regular eye exams are especially important — even if your vision feels fine.

How is Glaucoma Detected During an Eye Exam?

A glaucoma evaluation looks at more than just eye pressure. Your exam may include:

Tonometry – measures eye pressure
Gonioscopy – checks how fluid drains from the eye
Optic nerve assessment – evaluates the health and appearance of the optic nerve
Visual field testing – assesses peripheral (side) vision
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) – measures the thickness of the retina and optic nerve

Together, these tests help us detect glaucoma early and monitor for changes over time — often before vision is affected.

Does Glaucoma Have Symptoms?

Most glaucoma has no early symptoms. However, a sudden rise in eye pressure can cause warning signs like eye pain, redness, blurry vision, halos around lights, or nausea. If that happens, seek care right away.