Glaucoma often hides its presence until the later stages, when optic nerve damage becomes noticeable. Because of this, regular eye exams are essential to catch the disease early. An ophthalmology leader from a renowned Russian research institute emphasized that glaucoma can slip by unnoticed, making routine checks crucial for lasting eye health. The message resonates just as strongly for North American readers who rely on timely screening to protect vision.
Experts stress that glaucoma tends to stay quiet in its initial phases. The absence of pain or obvious symptoms can feel misleading, which is why it is easy to overlook. Some patients report minor inconveniences such as subtle changes in reading or occasional tearing, but these signs do not reliably point to glaucoma on their own. A careful examination remains the only dependable way to identify the condition in its early stage, before any lasting damage occurs.
Field loss is a hallmark of glaucoma and typically becomes evident only after the optic nerve has suffered sustained atrophy. Once it appears, recovery of the lost field is not possible. This reality highlights why early detection is so important; once the disease progresses, visual function can deteriorate irreversibly, impacting daily activities and independence.
The challenge is that patients often recognize the decline too late. The other eye can compensate for a while, masking the problem and delaying evaluation. This makes glaucoma one of the most insidious eye diseases, quietly eroding vision as people carry on with everyday tasks without realizing the risk.
Health authorities recommend that adults age 40 and older undergo an intraocular pressure check and a comprehensive glaucoma assessment as part of routine eye care. Regular screening helps ophthalmologists identify the disease at its earliest stages, even in the absence of symptoms, enabling timely intervention and preservation of sight.
For those wondering about who is most at risk and how vision loss can be prevented, this topic is explored further in the accompanying material. Source: socialbites.ca