In short: Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often linked to elevated eye pressure, and it frequently causes no symptoms until vision loss has already begun — earning it the name "the silent thief of sight." Regular comprehensive eye exams, including pressure checks and visual field testing, are the most effective way to catch it early.
Why is glaucoma called "the silent thief of sight"?
Because in its most common form (open-angle glaucoma), there are typically no early symptoms. Vision loss usually begins in the peripheral (side) field of view, an area most people do not consciously monitor, so significant and irreversible damage can occur before it is noticed in daily life.
What are the warning signs to watch for?
Open-angle glaucoma often has no early warning signs, which is why routine screening matters even without symptoms. Acute angle-closure glaucoma, a less common but more urgent form, can cause sudden eye pain, headache, blurred vision, halos around lights, and nausea — this requires immediate medical attention.
How is glaucoma tested?
A comprehensive glaucoma evaluation typically includes measuring intraocular pressure, examining the optic nerve, and visual field (perimetry) testing to detect any peripheral vision loss. Imaging technologies such as OCT can also help detect changes in the optic nerve at an early stage.
What treatment options are available?
Treatment aims to lower eye pressure and halt further optic nerve damage — it cannot reverse vision already lost, which is why early detection matters so much. Options range from prescription eye drops and laser treatments (such as SLT or LPI) to surgical procedures like trabeculectomy for more advanced cases. Learn more on our glaucoma treatment page.
Who should be screened for glaucoma?
Anyone due for a routine eye exam, especially those with a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, or over the age of 40, should include glaucoma screening as part of their regular eye care — alongside checks relevant to conditions like cataracts, which can also develop silently over time.
Protecting your vision starts with a check-up
Because glaucoma damage cannot be undone, the single most valuable step you can take is a comprehensive eye exam. Book a consultation at Trivision Eye Hospital, Bandra West, to have your eye pressure and optic nerve health assessed.
What are the different types of glaucoma?
Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form and, as described above, tends to progress slowly and silently over years. Angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, sometimes suddenly, causing a rapid spike in eye pressure and the acute symptoms described earlier — this variant is a genuine eye emergency. Normal-tension glaucoma is a less common form where optic nerve damage occurs even though the measured eye pressure falls within a statistically normal range, which is one reason a comprehensive exam looks at the optic nerve directly rather than relying on pressure readings alone. Secondary glaucoma can also develop as a consequence of another eye condition, injury, or certain medications.
Who is at higher risk of developing glaucoma?
Risk factors generally recognised in ophthalmology include age over 40, a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high myopia, prior eye injury, and long-term use of corticosteroid medications. None of these factors guarantee that someone will develop glaucoma, but they are reasons to prioritise regular screening rather than waiting for symptoms that, as explained above, frequently do not appear until damage has already occurred.
What does a comprehensive glaucoma work-up involve at Trivision?
Beyond a standard eye pressure check, a thorough glaucoma evaluation looks directly at the health of the optic nerve, often using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the thickness of the nerve fibre layer, and visual field (perimetry) testing to map out whether any peripheral vision has already been affected. Gonioscopy, which examines the drainage angle of the eye, helps distinguish open-angle from angle-closure glaucoma and guides which treatment approach is most appropriate. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition once diagnosed, this baseline work-up also becomes the reference point against which future visits are compared to monitor for any progression.
Living with a glaucoma diagnosis
A glaucoma diagnosis is not the same as inevitable blindness — with consistent treatment and monitoring, many patients maintain functional vision for the rest of their lives. The most important factor within a patient's control is adherence: using prescribed drops exactly as directed and attending follow-up visits on schedule, since gaps in treatment are one of the more common reasons for continued progression. If you have been told you are a glaucoma suspect, or have a family history and have not yet been screened, that is reason enough to book an evaluation rather than wait for symptoms that, by definition, often do not come with a clear warning.
How often should follow-up visits happen?
Once diagnosed, the frequency of glaucoma follow-up depends on how well-controlled the pressure is and how stable the optic nerve and visual field measurements remain over time — some patients are seen every few months in the initial stabilisation period, while well-controlled long-term patients may be reviewed less frequently, always at the treating ophthalmologist's discretion. Each visit typically repeats some combination of pressure checks, optic nerve imaging, and visual field testing, building a longitudinal picture that a single visit alone cannot provide. This is also why continuity of care with the same treating team matters: comparing this visit's results against your own prior baseline is far more informative than any single reading in isolation.