Glaucoma FAQs: Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment Options (Feb 2, 2026)

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. With the condition being a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the US, education surrounding glaucoma is paramount to helping patients identify the condition before it affects vision. As Glaucoma Awareness Month draws to a close, here are some frequently asked questions surrounding glaucoma that may help in both identifying and treating glaucoma in those affected.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, meaning many individuals are unaware they have the condition until vision damage has occurred. Some patients may experience eye pain, headaches, double vision, blurred vision, eye pressure, gradually developing blind spots, or gradually developing low vision.

Emergency Symptoms

Angle-closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that can present with sudden and severe symptoms requiring immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss. These symptoms can include rainbow-colored halos around lights, eye pain or pressure accompanied by nausea or vomiting, and sudden vision loss.

Who is at Risk?

While glaucoma can affect anyone, certain individuals are at higher risk. A family history of glaucoma increases a person’s likelihood of developing the condition. Women are more prone to angle-closure glaucoma than men. Primary open-angle glaucoma is more common in Black individuals, while those of Asian and Inuit descent have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Age is also a factor, with most diagnoses occurring in individuals aged 40 and older. Those with myopia are more likely to develop open-angle glaucoma, whereas those with hyperopia have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Prevention and Treatment

Currently, there is no known way to prevent glaucoma. However, lifestyle choices such as consuming leafy green vegetables and engaging in moderate exercise may benefit eye health. The most effective approach is to see an ophthalmologist annually for dilated eye exams to facilitate early detection and prevent vision from worsening.

Treatment options focus on lowering intraocular pressure. These include prescription eye drops – such as prostaglandins, rho kinase inhibitors, nitric oxides, and miotic or cholinergic agents – as well as medications like alpha-adrenergic agonists, β-blockers, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Surgical interventions, such as trabeculectomy, can also be used to improve fluid drainage.

Implant surgery may address secondary causes of glaucoma, like congenital and neovascular glaucoma. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is available for mild cases, and laser treatment can also help with fluid drainage. The goal of all treatments is to control eye pressure and prevent further vision loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first sign of glaucoma?

Glaucoma often does not cause symptoms early on, and many patients are unaware they have the condition until vision damage has already occurred. Some patients may experience eye pain, headaches, double vision, blurred vision, eye pressure, gradually developing blind spots, or gradually developing low vision.

Who is at the highest risk of glaucoma?

Individuals with a family history of glaucoma are at increased risk. Women are more likely to have angle-closure glaucoma, while primary open-angle glaucoma is more common in Black individuals and angle-closure glaucoma is more common in those of Asian and Inuit descent. Most individuals with glaucoma are aged 40 years and older.

Can glaucoma be prevented?

Glaucoma cannot be prevented as far as eye doctors are aware. Lifestyle choices like eating leafy green vegetables and moderate exercise may benefit eye health, but the best way to prevent glaucoma is to see an ophthalmologist for dilated eye exams annually.

Considering the potential for silent vision loss, are you prioritizing regular eye exams as part of your overall health routine?