Glaucoma: How to spot it early and what you can do

Did you know glaucoma can steal vision without pain? That’s why many people only notice it after losing peripheral sight. If you want simple, useful steps to protect your eyes, read on. This page explains signs, the tests doctors use, practical treatments, and everyday moves that actually help.

How glaucoma shows up

Glaucoma usually comes in two common forms. Open-angle glaucoma sneaks up slowly — you lose side vision first. Angle-closure glaucoma is rare but urgent: sudden eye pain, headache, blurry vision, and nausea mean you need care now. Watch for these warning signs: gradual loss of side vision, patches of missing vision, seeing halos around lights, or sudden sharp pain with red eye. If anything like this happens, seek help right away.

Who’s at risk? People over 60, those with a family history, people of African or Asian descent, long-term steroid users, and people with very high eye pressure or diabetes. Risk doesn’t mean certainty, but it does mean checkups matter.

Tests doctors use and what they tell you

Your eye doctor won’t rely on one test. Common checks include: eye pressure (tonometry), optic nerve inspection with a special light, visual field testing to map side vision, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure nerve thickness. These tests show if damage is happening and how fast. Bring a list of medications and symptoms to your appointment — it helps the doctor decide which tests to run.

Treatment and daily steps

Treatment focuses on lowering pressure to slow or stop nerve damage. First-line care is usually eye drops: prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Drops work well if you use them correctly and on schedule. Missed doses let pressure rise and damage continue.

If drops don’t control pressure, doctors may suggest laser treatment like trabeculoplasty or surgery such as trabeculectomy or newer MIGS procedures. Angle-closure glaucoma often needs immediate laser or surgery to open the drainage angle.

Simple daily moves help too. Regular moderate exercise (like walking) can lower eye pressure. Avoid heavy straining or exercises that spike blood pressure. Keep health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure under control. Don’t start or stop steroid medicines without checking with your prescriber — they can raise eye pressure.

Finally, get checked. If you’re over 40 with any risk factor, aim for regular eye exams every 1–2 years; sooner if your doctor says so. If you’re managing glaucoma, track your medications, note side effects, and keep follow-up appointments. Need reliable info on eye drops or meds? CanadaCloudPharmacy.com has guides and articles to help you understand options and costs.

Early detection is the best defense. Watch for changes, keep appointments, and treat glaucoma like any chronic condition — regular care wins.