“What is usually the first sign of glaucoma?”
I am a 42 year old male. I want to know what is usually the first sign of glaucoma?
5 Answers
Glaucoma is a silent disease. Until the effect, ie vision loss, of the
disease becomes significant you may not notice anything. This is why a
yearly examination with your eye doctor is critical to maintaining the
health of your eyes and good vision.
disease becomes significant you may not notice anything. This is why a
yearly examination with your eye doctor is critical to maintaining the
health of your eyes and good vision.
Often times glaucoma is asymptomatic until moderate to late stages. Therefore, it’s important to have regular eye exams.
Alan J Franklin MD, PhD
Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery
Diagnostic And Medical Clinic
1720 Springhill Ave. Suite 300
Mobile, AL 36604
Cell: 251-776-4455
Alan J Franklin MD, PhD
Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery
Diagnostic And Medical Clinic
1720 Springhill Ave. Suite 300
Mobile, AL 36604
Cell: 251-776-4455
The first sign of glaucoma is usually a change in the appearance of the optic nerve. This happens when the nerve begins to degenerate as a result of glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma). As far as symptoms: the first symptom of glaucoma from the patient's point of view is the usually irreversible loss of part of the field of vision. This is a late symptom which is why glaucoma is called "The sneak thief of vision". You can not wait until you have symptoms because by then it's too late.
Patients with glaucoma usually don't experience any symptoms. During your annual eye examination, your doctor will look at your intraocular pressures and your optic nerve and determine if you are a glaucoma suspect. If this is the case, they will probably order additional testing to rule out glaucoma.
Positive optic nerve OCT
