Early Signs of Glaucoma You Shouldn’t Ignore

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can progress without obvious symptoms until vision loss is significant. As one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, early detection is critical to protecting your eyesight. At Northside Vision, we want to help you recognize the earliest warning signs so you can seek care before it’s too late.
 

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, usually due to high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). While anyone can develop glaucoma, risk increases with age, family history, certain medical conditions, or prolonged steroid use. Regular eye exams remain the best defense, but knowing what to watch for is just as important.
 

Early Signs of Glaucoma to Watch For

•           Subtle Vision Changes - Blind spots or difficulty seeing at the edges of your vision; peripheral vision loss often occurs first and can be easy to miss.

•           Eye Pain or Pressure - Sudden or ongoing discomfort in the eyes, sometimes accompanied by headaches, may indicate glaucoma.

•           Halos Around Lights - Rainbow-colored halos around lights, especially at night, can signal increased eye pressure.

•           Blurred or Hazy Vision - Changes in clarity or persistent blurriness may be linked to optic nerve damage.

•           Redness or Irritation - Constant redness or inflammation could be a sign of acute glaucoma or another serious eye issue.

•           Sudden Vision Loss - Rapid vision loss with severe eye pain, nausea, and headache can point to acute angle-closure glaucoma, a medical emergency.
 

How Early Diagnosis Can Save Your Sight

The damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but with early diagnosis and treatment, further vision loss can often be prevented. That is why routine eye exams, especially for adults over 40, are essential. Advanced technology allows eye doctors to detect even the smallest changes to your optic nerve and eye pressure before symptoms develop.
 

Individuals with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, face an even greater risk and should be especially proactive about their eye health. Diabetic patients, in particular, are more likely to experience changes to their blood vessels and optic nerve that can increase the likelihood of glaucoma. Regular comprehensive eye exams not only help detect glaucoma but also monitor for other vision complications related to diabetes.
 

Take Action at Northside Vision

Glaucoma doesn’t always announce itself with clear symptoms, but paying attention to these early warning signs and scheduling regular comprehensive eye exams can protect your vision for years to come. Dr. Fairborn and his team uses advanced diagnostic tools to detect glaucoma early and create personalized treatment plans.
 

Don’t wait until symptoms of glaucoma become severe. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam with Northside Vision to ensure your eyes are healthy and your vision stays clear. Visit our office in Spokane, Washington, or call (509) 519-4400 to book an appointment today