Glaucoma: Symptoms and Prevention

Imagine walking through Leisure World and overlooking someone approaching from the side or missing a curb while looking straight ahead. People rely on peripheral vision to notice the surroundings without turning their heads. Glaucoma can gradually damage this ability, often before people realize that anything has changed.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The most common form often develops gradually without obvious symptoms.

The area of reduced or missing vision called scotoma, can cause the objects harder to detect. The overlapping vision from the other eye can make changes less noticeable.

Glaucoma produces several recognizable patterns that are measured during testing. Advanced glaucoma may narrow the visual field, sometimes called tunnel vision. Visual field-testing measures light detection across different locations, helping explain the missing pieces.

People who notice changes in their vision such as blurriness, dark spots, or distorted lines should schedule an eye exam. Early evaluation and monitoring can make a big difference in maintaining the vision and quality of life.

—Maltish Lorenzo, MD, Optum HCC