Glaucoma: the silent thief of sight

Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because the most common type causes no pain and no early warning signs. It slowly damages the optic nerve, which carries vision from the eye to the brain, and side vision is lost first. Many people only notice when a lot of vision has gone, and that vision cannot be brought back.

Who is at risk

• Adults over 40, with risk rising with age
• People with a parent, brother or sister who has glaucoma
• People with diabetes or high myopia
• Anyone who has used steroid eye drops or tablets for a long time
• People who have had an eye injury

How glaucoma is found

A glaucoma check is painless and takes about an hour:

• Eye pressure is measured with a tonometer
• Corneal thickness is measured, because it affects the pressure reading
• An OCT scan measures the nerve fibre layer around the optic nerve
• A visual field test maps your side vision. Bring your glasses for this test

Treatment

Treatment lowers the pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve. Most people use eye drops every day, and laser or surgery is used when drops are not enough. Treatment works only if it is continued, often for life.

Living with glaucoma

• Use your drops exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day
• Do not stop the drops because your eyes feel fine. Glaucoma has no symptoms, so feeling well is not a sign that the drops are no longer needed
• Bring all your eye drops to each appointment
• Tell any doctor who treats you that you have glaucoma
• Ask your family members over 40 to have their eyes checked

Angle-closure glaucoma

A less common type can come on suddenly with a painful red eye, blurred vision, haloes around lights, headache and vomiting. This is an emergency.

When to seek urgent care

Go to an emergency department or get same-day eye care for a sudden painful red eye with blurred vision, haloes, headache or vomiting.