Glaucoma: the silent thief of sight, who's at risk, and why screening is painless
Glaucoma takes vision from the edges inward, so slowly that half the people who have it don't know. A few painless tests once a year change that.
Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, the cable that carries what your eye sees to your brain, most often caused by pressure inside the eye that's higher than the nerve can tolerate. It's the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and roughly half the people who have it don't know yet. That's because of how it works.
Why you can't feel it
Glaucoma takes peripheral vision first, and it does so gradually. Your brain fills in the missing edges, and the other eye covers for the weaker one. By the time you notice tunnel vision, most of the nerve is gone, and lost vision doesn't come back. There's no pain, no redness, no warning. The only way to catch it early is to look for it.
Who should be screened
Everyone over 40 should have an eye pressure check and optic nerve exam as part of a regular comprehensive exam. Yearly exams matter more if you have:
- A parent or sibling with glaucoma (family history raises risk several-fold)
- African or Hispanic heritage, where glaucoma is more common and starts earlier
- Age over 60
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, or significant nearsightedness
- Long-term steroid use (including some inhalers and creams)
- A past eye injury
What the tests are like
Painless and quick. Dr. Dolan measures your eye pressure, examines the optic nerve under magnification for the thinning that glaucoma causes, checks the drainage angle of the eye, and compares against your previous visits, which is why seeing the same doctor each year matters. If anything looks suspicious, a visual field test maps your side vision to look for early gaps.
Treatment works when it starts early
Glaucoma can't be cured, but it can almost always be controlled. Most people start with a daily eye drop that lowers pressure. Laser treatments and, less often, surgery are options when drops aren't enough. Dr. Dolan manages early glaucoma and co-manages with specialists when needed. The goal is simple: keep the vision you have, for life.
Over 40 and haven't had a full exam in a couple of years? Call (248) 375-0040. Glaucoma screening is part of every comprehensive exam at 20/20 Vision in Rochester Hills.
20/20 Vision is an independent optometry practice and designer eyewear boutique at 3110 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, MI 48309, serving Rochester Hills, Rochester, Oakland Township, Auburn Hills and Troy since 1980. Eye exams with Dr. David Dolan, OD. In-network with VSP.