Acute Glaucoma Attack Quiz

Q.

At what age should you get tested for Glaucoma?

A.

Get a baseline glaucoma exam at age 40 if you are at average risk, then repeat every 1 to 4 years, with shorter intervals as you get older. There are several factors to consider, and people at higher risk may need to start earlier and be seen more often, including those with a parent or sibling with glaucoma, African, Hispanic or Asian heritage, prior high eye pressure, thin corneas, long-term steroid use, diabetes, or high blood pressure. See below for detailed risk criteria, age-based follow-up intervals, and what to expect during screening.

Q.

Can you have Glaucoma even with good vision?

A.

Yes. Glaucoma can be present even with sharp central vision because it often starts by damaging peripheral vision and can occur at normal eye pressure. There are several factors to consider. See below for risk factors, recommended exam schedules and tests, early warning signs, and treatment options that could influence your next steps.

Q.

Can you have Glaucoma with normal eye pressure?

A.

Yes, glaucoma can occur with normal eye pressure, called normal-tension glaucoma, where the optic nerve is damaged and vision can be lost even when IOP is under 21 mm Hg. There are several factors to consider, including vascular issues, thin corneas, age or family history, and diagnosis and monitoring rely on specific tests, while treatment still focuses on lowering pressure by about 30 percent, so see below for key risks, warning signs, testing, and when to seek an ophthalmology exam.

Q.

Can you stop Glaucoma from getting worse?

A.

In many people, glaucoma can be slowed or even halted by lowering eye pressure with prescription eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery; while lost vision cannot be restored, early diagnosis and consistent follow up are key. There are several factors to consider, including your personalized target pressure, strict medication adherence, supportive lifestyle steps, and urgent symptoms that need immediate care; see the complete details below for guidance that could affect your next steps.

Q.

Does Glaucoma always cause blindness?

A.

Glaucoma does not always cause blindness; with early detection and consistent treatment, most people maintain functional vision. Still, untreated or advanced glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss or legal blindness, and there are crucial factors and next steps to consider, so see below for risks, warning signs, screening schedules, and treatment options that can help protect your sight.

Q.

How to catch Glaucoma early?

A.

Early glaucoma screening means regular comprehensive eye exams beginning at 40, or sooner if you have risk factors like family history, certain ancestries, diabetes, high eye pressure, steroid use, or prior eye injury, using tonometry, optic nerve evaluation, visual field testing, and OCT, with intervals tailored to your risk. Watch for subtle changes in peripheral vision or halos and seek prompt care, as early treatment preserves sight; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for who is high risk, how often to screen, what to expect at an exam, practical ways to access screening, and when symptoms require urgent care.

Q.

Is Glaucoma curable or a lifelong condition?

A.

Glaucoma is not curable and is typically a lifelong condition; optic nerve damage cannot be reversed, but lowering eye pressure with drops, lasers, or surgery can slow progression and help preserve vision. There are several factors to consider, including early detection, strict treatment adherence, and your personal risk profile. See below for details on monitoring frequency, treatment options, lifestyle steps, and when to seek urgent care.

Q.

Is nearsightedness linked to Glaucoma?

A.

Yes: nearsightedness is linked to a higher risk of glaucoma, especially primary open-angle glaucoma, and the risk rises with severity (about 1.7x for low myopia, ~2.5x for moderate, ~3.3x for high). There are several factors to consider. See below for why myopic eye structure increases vulnerability and can hide early disease, the key warning signs, and the recommended exam schedule and treatment options that could shape your next steps.

Q.

What are the early symptoms of Glaucoma?

A.

Early symptoms of glaucoma can be subtle, such as patchy blind spots and gradual loss of side vision, halos around lights, slow adaptation to darkness, occasional blurred vision, mild eye aching or brow headaches, and sometimes eye redness. Because many people have no early symptoms at all, your risk factors and the need for timely eye exams are crucial to next steps; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.

Q.

What is your Glaucoma risk if you have a family history?

A.

If you have a parent, sibling, or child with primary open-angle glaucoma, your risk is about 3 to 4 times higher than average; siblings may face up to around a 10 percent lifetime risk versus about 2 to 3 percent in the general population. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand how age, eye pressure, corneal thickness, optic nerve appearance, and race influence your individual risk and to review screening recommendations and next steps.

Q.

Why early detection of Glaucoma important?

A.

Early detection of glaucoma is crucial because it often has no early symptoms yet can cause irreversible vision loss; catching it early lets your eye doctor lower eye pressure, slow progression by up to 50 percent, preserve vision and independence, and may reduce treatment burden and costs. There are several factors to consider, from personal risk and screening timing to the most useful tests and treatments; see the full guidance below to decide your next steps, including when to book a comprehensive eye exam.

Q.

Why eye drops are used to treat Glaucoma?

A.

Eye drops are used because they directly lower intraocular pressure by either reducing the eye’s fluid production or increasing its drainage, which protects the optic nerve and slows or prevents vision loss; they are the first-line treatment since they are effective, targeted, and easy to use at home. There are several factors to consider, including which drug class is best, proper drop technique, adherence, side effects, and when laser or surgery might be needed; see below for details that can guide your next steps and follow-up care.

Q.

Why Glaucoma progresses without notice?

A.

It often advances quietly because early damage targets peripheral vision while central sight stays sharp, the brain fills in missing areas, and there is usually no pain; optic nerve injury can continue from fluctuating or even normal eye pressure. There are several factors to consider, including age, family history, eye-to-eye differences, and missed drops or visits; see below for warning signs, when to get screened, and the next steps that could change your care plan.

Q.

Why is Glaucoma called the "Silent Thief of Sight"?

A.

Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because it causes progressive, irreversible damage to the optic nerve that usually starts without pain or early warning, gradually stealing peripheral vision before noticeable changes occur. There are several factors to consider, including who is at higher risk, how to catch it early with routine eye exams, and which symptoms require urgent care; see below for key tests, treatment options, and the right next steps.

Q.

Can Glaucoma affect only one eye?

A.

Yes. Glaucoma can affect just one eye at first, and some secondary types or an acute angle-closure attack can be truly confined to one eye, but most forms put both eyes at risk and often start asymmetrically. Important details on which types behave this way, red-flag symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and treatments to protect the other eye are explained below so you can plan the right next steps.

Q.

Can routine eye exams detect Glaucoma?

A.

Yes. Comprehensive routine eye exams can detect glaucoma early by measuring eye pressure, examining the optic nerve, and checking visual fields, often before symptoms appear; advanced imaging like OCT may also be used, but no single test confirms it alone. There are several factors to consider, including age and family risk, how often to be screened, limitations like normal tension glaucoma, and urgent symptoms that need immediate care. See below for the complete answer and next steps to protect your vision.

Q.

Can young people get Glaucoma?

A.

Yes, young people can get glaucoma, including juvenile open-angle, congenital, and secondary types, and it can permanently damage vision if not treated early. Family history, certain genes, eye injuries, and long-term steroid use raise risk, and because early glaucoma is often symptom free, regular eye exams and prompt treatment matter; there are several factors to consider, see below for warning signs, tests, and the best next steps.

Q.

How Glaucoma leads to vision loss?

A.

Glaucoma causes vision loss when fluid buildup raises intraocular pressure and reduces blood flow, damaging the optic nerve and killing retinal ganglion cells; this typically begins with peripheral vision loss and can become permanent if untreated. There are several factors to consider, including the type of glaucoma, your risk factors, early warning signs, and treatments that can slow or prevent further damage. See below for the complete answer with details that could guide your next steps and when to seek care.

Q.

How is Glaucoma detected without symptoms?

A.

Glaucoma without symptoms is detected during a comprehensive eye exam that combines intraocular pressure measurement, optic nerve evaluation, OCT imaging to measure retinal nerve fiber thickness, and visual field testing, often refined by pachymetry and gonioscopy; no single test is definitive, so doctors synthesize results. Because damage can occur before any vision changes, routine screening is advised, especially if you are over 40 or have risk factors like family history or high myopia; there are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your next steps are explained below.

Q.

Is Glaucoma testing painful?

A.

Most glaucoma tests are not painful; they are quick and designed for comfort, with air-puff or rebound measurements feeling like a brief tap and contact tests made comfortable with numbing drops. There are several factors to consider about what each test feels like, normal mild irritation afterward, options if you have anxiety, and red flags like severe pain or sudden vision changes that need prompt care. See below for complete details and next steps.

Q.

What does vision loss from Glaucoma look like?

A.

Vision loss from glaucoma usually begins with subtle peripheral blind spots that are easy to miss, progresses to a narrowing of the visual field that feels like tunnel vision, and can ultimately affect central vision and lead to permanent blindness if not treated. There are several factors to consider; see below for details on the stages of vision loss, real-life warning signs, urgent symptoms, and the specific tests and treatments that can help protect your sight and guide next steps.

Q.

What happens during a Glaucoma eye exam?

A.

A glaucoma eye exam is a painless, comprehensive visit that typically includes history and vision checks, eye pressure measurement, corneal thickness testing, drainage angle evaluation, optic nerve assessment, visual field testing, and OCT imaging. Your doctor then explains your risk or diagnosis and recommends monitoring, eye drops, laser, or surgery as needed, but there are important details that can affect your next steps; see the complete breakdown below.

Q.

What happens if Glaucoma is left untreated?

A.

Left untreated, glaucoma causes irreversible optic nerve damage and progressive vision loss, usually beginning with peripheral vision, advancing to tunnel vision, and potentially ending in blindness. There are several factors to consider, and timely treatment that lowers eye pressure has been proven to slow progression; risks to safety, independence, and daily tasks are explained in detail. See below for key details and practical next steps for your care.

Q.

What to do after being diagnosed with Glaucoma?

A.

Confirm your glaucoma type and stage and your target eye pressure with your eye doctor, then follow a personalized plan that may include prescription drops, laser like SLT, or surgery, with regular pressure checks, visual field tests, and OCT imaging. Use reminders to take drops correctly, make supportive lifestyle changes, involve family, and know urgent warning signs such as sudden severe eye pain, halos, or vision loss that need immediate care. There are several factors to consider, and the specifics can change your next steps. See the complete details below for monitoring timelines, drop techniques, when to seek a second opinion, mental health and low vision resources, and what to do in emergencies.

Q.

What's most important in Glaucoma treatment?

A.

Lowering intraocular pressure is the cornerstone of glaucoma treatment, and combining it with early detection and regular monitoring is what most effectively preserves vision. Because the right plan depends on your personal risk factors, target pressure, and consistent use of therapies, there are several factors to consider; see below for the key details that could shape your next steps.

Q.

What's the difference between Glaucoma and Cataracts?

A.

There are key differences to consider: cataracts cloud the eye’s lens, causing blurry, glare-prone vision that is usually reversible with surgery, while glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often from high eye pressure, leading to irreversible vision loss managed with drops, laser or surgery. Because glaucoma can be silent early and angle-closure can be an emergency with sudden eye pain, halos, redness, nausea and vomiting, important next steps depend on these nuances. See the complete details below for symptoms, tests, treatment choices, prevention and when to seek urgent care.

Q.

When is surgery needed for Glaucoma instead of eye drops?

A.

Surgery is generally recommended when eye pressure stays above your target despite maximum tolerated drops, if vision or optic nerve damage progresses, if drops cause significant side effects or are hard to use consistently, or in advanced or secondary glaucomas. There are several factors to consider, and options range from in-office lasers to minimally invasive or filtering surgeries, with the choice guided by how low your pressure needs to be and your risk profile; see below for important details that can affect the best next step in your care.

Q.

Who is at higher risk for Glaucoma?

A.

People at higher risk include adults over 60, those with a first-degree family history, people of African or Afro-Caribbean descent, Hispanic/Latino adults especially after 70, individuals of Asian descent for angle-closure, and anyone with elevated eye pressure or thin corneas. Other contributors include diabetes, hypertension, migraines or vasospastic disorders, severe myopia, sleep apnea, eye injuries, long-term steroid use, and uveitis. There are several factors to consider, and the full list plus symptoms, screening schedules, and when to seek urgent care can change your next steps; see below for the complete answer.

Q.

Why ongoing treatment for Glaucoma is important?

A.

Ongoing care is vital because only consistent lowering of eye pressure through drops, laser, or surgery slows irreversible optic nerve damage, preserving vision and reducing the risk of blindness. Regular monitoring and strong adherence matter, since pressure spikes from missed meds or appointments can speed progression; there are several factors to consider, and important next steps may depend on them, so see below to understand more.

Q.

Why you need Glaucoma Screening even without symptoms?

A.

Glaucoma can silently and permanently damage vision without pain or early warning, so screening is crucial even when your eyes feel normal. Detecting high eye pressure and optic nerve changes early allows timely treatment that can reduce risk and slow progression. There are several factors to consider, including age, family history, and race, plus how often you should be screened and what tests are used. See below for the complete guidance and next steps that could influence when to schedule an exam and when to seek urgent care.