How Glaucoma Can Develop Without You Knowing It 

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can sneak up on you without warning. It’s hard to detect because it's painless and develops gradually, making it especially dangerous if you’re not prioritizing regular eye exams.

At Cooper Optometry in Santa Monica, California, Donna Cooper, OD, and Sarah Chung, OD, want you to learn more about glaucoma, how it can affect your vision, and why heading it off early with a glaucoma evaluation is critical.

Understanding glaucoma

Glaucoma damages your optic nerve, a vital component of good vision. This damage is typically caused by abnormally high pressure in your eyes, though it can also occur when your eye pressure is within a normal range.

Among the types of glaucoma, the most common is open-angle glaucoma, which progresses slowly. This type doesn’t cause pain or have noticeable symptoms in the early stages, meaning most people don’t know they have it until it permanently impairs their vision.

Early symptoms are easy to miss

Because early-stage glaucoma is symptomless, it’s easy to miss. The vision loss is gradual and usually starts with your peripheral (side) vision. For a while, your brain compensates for it.

Subtle signs you might overlook include:

• Difficulty going from dark to light environments
• Slight trouble seeing in low light
• A feeling that your vision lacks clarity or is slightly off

What makes glaucoma dangerous is that even these telltale symptoms are often absent, leading to significant, irreversible damage.

Regular eye exams are your best defense

The only reliable way to catch glaucoma early is through comprehensive eye exams. During your exam, Dr. Cooper or Dr. Chung measures your intraocular pressure, checks the health of your optic nerve, and conducts visual field testing to assess your peripheral vision. 

Glaucoma leads to optic nerve damage caused by increased eye pressure. Cooper Optometry uses advanced technology, including the Optomap®, which gives your doctor a closer look inside your eyes. 

The Optomap scan shows changes in your eyes’ nerve fiber layer, which thins as glaucoma progresses. Since this thinning is a signature sign of the disease, your doctor can identify it early through imaging.

Take charge of your eye health

Glaucoma is irreversible, but if you catch it early, you can manage it effectively with prescription eye drops, medication, and in some cases, laser or surgical treatment to lower your eye pressure. Without treatment, you can suffer permanent vision loss.

Even if your eyes feel fine, protect your vision with regular eye exams and glaucoma evaluations at our office in Santa Monica. Call now to schedule an appointment or request one online today.