The Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma You Need to Know

Approximately 3% of Singaporeans over age 40 have glaucoma, and the prevalence increases with age.

One of the key challenges in managing glaucoma is that it often progresses without noticeable symptoms. There are usually no obvious warning signs in the early stages, which means it is frequently diagnosed only after significant damage has occurred.

By the time symptoms become obvious, the disease may already have caused irreversible damage. Understanding both the obvious and subtle signs of glaucoma is therefore crucial, as it can help you seek medical attention promptly.

What Is Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that leads to damage or deterioration of the optic nerve over time. This optic nerve carries visual information from the eyes to the brain.

Glaucoma is often associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP). When IOP is elevated, it can contribute to damage of the optic nerve.

Elevated IOP causes structural damage to the optic nerve. Over time, this damage can lead to permanent vision loss.

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but it is more common in older adults, particularly after age 40. Many people expect clear high eye pressure symptoms, but early glaucoma often progresses without noticeable warning signs.

Why This Condition Often Goes Unnoticed

Optic nerve damage develops gradually, so there are no abrupt changes in vision in most cases. Early vision loss typically affects peripheral (side) vision, which is less noticeable in day-to-day tasks than central vision loss.

Additionally, elevated eye pressure does not usually cause pain or redness, particularly in chronic forms of glaucoma. This is why it is important to get professional eye screening done regularly for early detection of the problem.

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Early Signs of Glaucoma That Are Easy to Miss

Below are some of the more common early signs of glaucoma that people often fail to notice:

• Gradual narrowing of side (peripheral) vision 
• Difficulty seeing in low-contrast or dim lighting
• Trouble adjusting from bright to dark environments
• Mild visual blur that does not improve with updated glasses
• Eye pain, headaches, seeing halos around lights, or redness (more commonly seen in acute angle-closure glaucoma rather than early chronic glaucoma)

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Signs of More Advanced or Progressive Glaucoma

• Noticeable peripheral vision loss
  At this stage, the degree of peripheral vision loss may be severe enough to lead a person to describe it as “tunnel vision”.
  
• Difficulty navigating stairs or crowded spaces
  This is often a result of reduced peripheral vision as well as decreased contrast sensitivity. They may make the edges of the steps hard to see. The reduced depth perception from contrast reduction can also make steps blend together.‍
• Increased glare sensitivity
  As glaucoma progresses and optic nerve damage worsens, patients may experience reduced contrast sensitivity, making glare more bothersome.‍
• Frequent bumping into objects on one side
  Again, severely reduced peripheral vision can narrow a patient’s range of awareness. This means you may no longer notice objects to your sides and be more prone to colliding with them as a result.

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When Should Patients See a Specialist? 

In general, eye doctors recommend seeing a specialist if they are past the age of 40. Other things to look out for are the following:

• Sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, halos with headache, or nausea (possible signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma)
• Changes in vision following an eye injury or trauma
• A family history of glaucoma, paired with new visual changes

Note that in general, sudden changes to your vision should merit a visit to the eye doctor. Even when the cause is not glaucoma, many other eye problems may be linked to such abrupt symptoms. Some are emergent and will require prompt treatment.

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Risks of Not Treating Glaucoma

As with many other conditions, the best outcomes for glaucoma treatment are generally associated with early detection and treatment. 

This is understandable given that glaucoma causes progressive damage, much of which is irreversible once it has happened. Early treatment therefore prevents more damage from happening.

If glaucoma is left untreated, several risks are possible:

• Progressive, irreversible vision loss, often starting with peripheral vision 
• Eventual “tunnel vision” and difficulty with daily tasks
• Increased risk of severe visual impairment or blindness without treatment
• Higher likelihood of requiring more intensive glaucoma treatment later

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Consult a Doctor about Glaucoma Symptoms Today

If you believe you have experienced any of the symptoms explained in this article, it may be wise to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. 

At ERS Suntec City, we provide comprehensive glaucoma assessments, including eye pressure testing, optic nerve evaluation, and OCT imaging to detect early damage. From there, we can evaluate your case to determine how best to treat your condition.

Reach out to us today and book an appointment with our eye doctors, whether for glaucoma or another eye condition.