Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, and it is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it typically causes no pain and no noticeable symptoms until significant, permanent vision loss has already occurred.
The condition is usually linked to elevated pressure inside the eye, which gradually damages the optic nerve. Roughly half of people living with glaucoma don’t know they have it, which is why routine eye examinations, not waiting for a change in vision, are the only reliable way to catch it early.
Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, but further loss can usually be prevented once it’s detected. If you’re over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, or haven’t had an eye exam in several years, our ophthalmology team recommends booking a check-up.
Photo: Gkbediako, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
