What Is Glaucoma? Understanding the “Silent Thief of Sight”

Glaucoma is one of those eye conditions many people have heard of - but few truly understand. What makes it especially concerning is how quietly it can develop. Often causing no pain or noticeable symptoms at first, glaucoma can slowly damage vision before you even realize something is wrong.
 

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma isn’t just one eye disease - it’s a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, the structure responsible for sending visual information from your eyes to your brain. In many cases, this damage is related to increased pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. However, glaucoma can also occur even when eye pressure falls within a normal range. Over time, whether pressure is elevated or not, glaucoma can slowly harm the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
 

Why Is It Called the “Silent Thief of Sight”?

Glaucoma earns this nickname because it typically causes no pain and no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Vision loss usually starts in the peripheral vision, which many people don’t notice right away. By the time central vision is affected, significant and irreversible damage may already have occurred.
 

The Importance of Routine Eye Exams

Because glaucoma often develops without warning signs, regular comprehensive eye exams are the most reliable way to detect it early. During your visit, your eye doctor looks beyond how clearly you see and evaluates the overall health of your eyes.

Advanced diagnostic technology plays a major role in early detection, including:

• Tonometer testing, which measures the pressure inside your eyes. Elevated pressure doesn’t always mean glaucoma is present, but it’s an important risk factor that needs monitoring.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a high-resolution imaging scan that allows us to see detailed cross-sections of the optic nerve. OCT can detect subtle nerve changes long before vision loss is noticeable.

Together, these tools help us identify glaucoma early and track any changes over time.
 

How Is Glaucoma Managed?

While glaucoma can’t be cured, it can be managed effectively when detected early. Treatment focuses on slowing or preventing further vision loss, most often by lowering eye pressure. Management may begin with prescription eye drops or oral medications, and in some cases, your optometrist may refer you to a specialist for advanced treatment such as laser therapy or surgical options, depending on the type and severity of glaucoma.

Ongoing care is key. Glaucoma management often requires regular follow-up visits to ensure treatment is working and your eye health remains stable. With consistent monitoring and care, many people with glaucoma maintain good vision for life.
 

Stay Ahead of Glaucoma at Eldorado Vision & Optical

Glaucoma may be silent, but the steps you take to protect your vision don’t have to be. Understanding your risk and committing to regular eye exams can help catch problems early.

If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, or if you have a family history of glaucoma, now is the perfect time to schedule an eye exam at Eldorado Vision & Optical. Visit our office in McKinney, Texas, or call (972) 564-8400 to book an appointment today.