For most of us, eye health becomes a priority only when something feels wrong—a headache, blurry vision, or redness. When everything seems normal, our eyes often fall to the bottom of the wellness checklist. After all, if you can see clearly, what is there to worry about? The unsettling reality is that some of the most severe threats to vision develop silently, without any discomfort or obvious warning signs, while daily life carries on uninterrupted.
Seeing well today is not a reliable indicator of long-term ocular health. This January, observed as Glaucoma Awareness Month, serves as a crucial reminder to shift focus from just glasses prescriptions or screen fatigue to proactive, lifelong eye care. It's about understanding personal risk, asking the right questions, and knowing when to get checked—even when nothing feels wrong. In this context, medical professionals are urging the public to educate themselves about glaucoma, its stealthy nature, who is most at risk, and how to prevent a late diagnosis that can permanently alter one's vision.
The Silent Thief: Why Glaucoma Goes Unnoticed
Glaucoma has earned the ominous nickname "the silent thief of sight" for a chilling reason. Dr. Vineet Sehgal, Senior Glaucoma Consultant at Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, explains that the disease typically causes damage without any announcement. Most patients experience no pain, redness, or sudden blur. The vision loss begins imperceptibly at the edges, sparing the central vision initially. This allows people to continue reading, driving, and working without a clue that something is amiss.
By the time symptoms become obvious to the individual, a significant portion of the optic nerve is already irreversibly damaged. Patients are often shocked during diagnosis when they learn how much peripheral vision has already been lost, having felt completely "normal" for years. Dr. Chaithra Anup, Glaucoma Consultant at Keshava Netralaya, adds that because glaucoma attacks peripheral vision first, patients might only notice advanced signs like bumping into objects, missing steps, or struggling with side vision. By then, 40–50% of optic nerve damage may already be permanent.
The Critical Gap: Why Diagnosis Often Comes Too Late
According to the experts, the most common reason for late diagnosis is straightforward: people do not get comprehensive eye exams unless they experience symptoms. A widespread misconception is that eye check-ups are solely for updating glasses prescriptions. Dr. Chaithra highlights a critical lack of awareness, noting that many believe checking vision on a chart constitutes a complete examination.
Glaucoma detection requires specific tests that are not part of a standard vision screening. These include optic nerve evaluation, eye pressure measurement (tonometry), visual field testing, and sometimes Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans. Without these targeted assessments, glaucoma can be completely missed during a routine visit.
Glaucoma vs. Cataracts: Understanding the Difference in Vision Loss
The experience of vision loss from glaucoma is distinct from conditions like cataracts. Dr. Chaithra clarifies that glaucoma patients rarely complain, "I can't see clearly." Instead, they report feeling less confident while walking, missing people approaching from the side, or finding night driving stressful. It's as if the world is slowly closing in from the edges, leading to tunnel vision in advanced stages.
A particularly cruel aspect of glaucoma is the brain's ability to compensate for missing visual information by filling in the gaps. Patients don't see black patches; their brain masks the loss, making it exceptionally hard to detect until severe damage has occurred. In contrast, cataracts typically affect central vision early, causing complaints of cloudy, hazy, or faded vision, glare from lights, and difficulty reading. Dr. Vineet summarizes: "Glaucoma doesn’t blur vision initially; it erases it bit by bit, starting from the periphery. That’s why cataracts feel obvious and fixable, while glaucoma feels invisible until it’s advanced."
The unanimous message from specialists is clear: glaucoma is not something you feel—it’s something you find. Good vision does not equate to healthy eyes. A simple, comprehensive eye examination done regularly can detect glaucoma early and protect sight for a lifetime. While lost vision cannot be restored, early detection allows treatment to slow or stop further damage. Waiting for symptoms is the biggest mistake one can make.
Dr. Chaithra urges people to think of glaucoma screening like monitoring blood pressure or diabetes—a condition requiring regular check-ups, not just symptom-driven visits. An annual comprehensive eye exam can be the difference between lifelong vision and permanent disability. This is especially vital for people over 40, but younger individuals with a family history of glaucoma, high myopia, diabetes, or those on long-term steroid medication should be equally vigilant.
