Understanding Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

Glaucoma earned its nickname — the silent thief of sight — for a reason. The most common form causes no pain and no early symptom; by the time patients notice missing peripheral vision, significant optic nerve damage has already occurred.

That's why screening is the entire game. A glaucoma evaluation includes eye pressure, optic nerve imaging (OCT), visual field testing, and a look at the drainage angle. If you have a family history, are of African or Hispanic ancestry, are over 60, or have ever been told your pressures run high, you should be screened annually.

Treatment has come a long way. Eye drops remain first-line for most patients. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a quick in-office option that often delays or reduces drop use. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) at the time of cataract surgery can lower pressure with very little added risk. Traditional filtering surgery remains an option for advanced disease.

The good news: with consistent care, the vast majority of glaucoma patients keep their useful vision for life.