Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects an estimated 3 million Americans. This condition causes pressure to build up in your eye, which harms the optic nerve. Over time, glaucoma can lead to severe vision loss or even total blindness. Given how debilitative this disease can be, the excellent ophthalmologist team at Mittleman Eye shares a few potential glaucoma warning signs that they encourage their patients to be cognizant of.

Seeing Halos

Usually the first symptom glaucoma patients notice, halos are bright circles in a person’s visual field that form around sources of light. It is important to note that people with cataracts also see halos, so halos are not definitively associated with glaucoma. Either way, halos are indicative of a larger problem that should be assessed by your eye doctor.

Loss of Peripheral Vision

Peripheral vision problems are another frequent symptom of glaucoma. Some people develop blind spots in their peripheral vision, while others develop hazy side vision and still others lose their peripheral vision altogether. Though many patients easily compensate for these issues by turning their heads to see, ignoring deteriorating peripheral vision may mean missing out on an important glaucoma diagnosis.

Pain
Angle-closure glaucoma can cause significant pain. Sometimes this pain is in the eye itself, and other times it manifests in the form of intense migraine headaches. Rather than popping pain medication, it is worth having your doctor explore the root causes, particularly if this pain is ongoing.

Change in Eye Appearance

Some people with glaucoma will eventually notice changes in the way the eye looks. Eye redness is a common side effect for patients with angle-closure glaucoma, as are dilated pupils.

No Signs at All

Unfortunately, for most patients, the signs of glaucoma are so slight or gradual that they are unable to recognize them — at least not until it is too late. While monitoring yourself for signs of glaucoma is important, it should not take the place of professional eye examinations. An eye doctor should be able to spot glaucoma much earlier than your symptoms manifest.

If you are overdue for a comprehensive eye exam, please call or text Mittleman Eye at (561) 500-2020 or schedule an appointment online now. Although there is currently no known way to stop glaucoma altogether, early treatment can significantly slow its progress, allowing you to hold on to your vision for as long as possible. Do not allow undiagnosed glaucoma to rob you of your sight.