Glaucoma is the second-most common cause of blindness in the United States and affects roughly 3 million Americans. There are two primary types of glaucoma, open angle and acute angle closure. Open angle is the most common and presents few, if any symptoms, before vision loss occurs. Acute angle closure presents more symptoms, but prompt treatment is required to prevent vision loss. In either case, regular visits to your optometrist for eye exams are vital to the early detection and treatment of this serious eye disease. While there are few symptoms, here’s what to watch for.

What Are the Early Signs of Glaucoma?

1. Hazy or Blurred Vision

Hazy or blurred vision is one of the earliest signs of vision loss due to glaucoma. In addition to the haziness, the eyes themselves may appear cloudy to others. This haziness is particularly common in infants.

2. Halos Around Bright Lights

Another sign to watch for is a rainbow-colored halo or ring around bright lights. This may seem similar to how lights look when your glasses are smudged or you forgot to wear your contact lenses. The key difference is the rainbow color.

3. Severe Eye & Head Pain

The sudden onset of sharp pain in the eyes, head, or both should not be ignored. This pain can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and warrants a call to your eye doctor.

4. Nausea & Vomiting

If your sudden eye and head pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, head straight to the emergency room. Any delay in seeking treatment could result in permanent vision loss, so prompt action is critical.

5. Sudden Vision Loss

Sudden vision loss also warrants a trip to the emergency room. In many cases, this occurs after prior symptoms were ignored, and it’s unlikely that sight can be restored. Watch for the prior issues and see an eye doctor regularly to keep problems from progressing to this stage. 

Unfortunately, glaucoma is an incurable eye disease. However, there are numerous medications and treatments available to help manage the disease when detected early. It’s vital that you do not neglect your annual eye exam, as your eye doctor may be able to diagnose and begin treating the disease well before dangerous symptoms occur. If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, visit Eric G. Stocker, OD in Amherst, OH. As an experienced optometrist, Dr. Stocker is skilled in diagnosing and managing eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts and providing basic vision care for patients in need of contact lenses or glasses. Call (440) 988-4419 to schedule an appointment, and visit Dr. Stocker’s website for more information.