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Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight

28 February 2026 by
Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Mr Opticals

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent blindness worldwide. It is often called the “Silent Thief of Sight” because it develops slowly and usually has no early warning signs.

Without regular eye checkups, glaucoma can damage your optic nerve permanently before you even realize there is a problem.

At Mr. Opticals, we emphasize early glaucoma detection to protect your long-term vision.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for sending visual signals from the eye to the brain.

In most cases, glaucoma is linked to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by poor drainage of fluid inside the eye.

Over time, high eye pressure damages the optic nerve, leading to gradual vision loss.

Types of Glaucoma
1️⃣ Open-Angle Glaucoma
  • Most common type

  • Develops slowly

  • No early symptoms

  • Gradual loss of peripheral vision

2️⃣ Angle-Closure Glaucoma
  • Sudden increase in eye pressure

  • Severe eye pain

  • Headache

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Blurred vision

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Early Symptoms of Glaucoma

In early stages, glaucoma often shows no noticeable symptoms.

As the disease progresses, you may experience:

  • Loss of side (peripheral) vision

  • Tunnel vision in advanced stages

  • Eye pain (in acute cases)

  • Halos around lights

  • Blurred vision

Because symptoms appear late, regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial.

Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma?

You may be at higher risk if you:

  • Are above 40 years of age

  • Have a family history of glaucoma

  • Have diabetes or high blood pressure

  • Are highly myopic (high minus power)

  • Use steroid medications long-term

Early screening is especially important if you fall into any of these categories.

How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?

At Mr. Opticals, glaucoma screening includes:

  • ✔ Eye pressure measurement (Tonometry)

  • ✔ Optic nerve examination

  • ✔ Visual field testing

  • ✔ Retina imaging scans

  • ✔ Corneal thickness measurement

A comprehensive eye exam can detect glaucoma before noticeable vision loss occurs.

Can Glaucoma Be Cured?

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed if detected early.

Treatment options include:

✔ Prescription Eye Drops

Help reduce eye pressure.

✔ Laser Treatment

Improves fluid drainage.

✔ Glaucoma Surgery

Recommended in advanced cases.

The goal of treatment is to prevent further optic nerve damage.

Why Early Detection Is Important

Glaucoma-related vision loss is irreversible.

However, early treatment can:

  • Slow or stop disease progression

  • Preserve remaining vision

  • Maintain quality of life

Regular eye exams are your best defense against glaucoma.

When Should You Get Screened?
  • Every 1–2 years after age 40

  • Annually if you have risk factors

  • Immediately if you notice vision changes

If you have not had an eye pressure test recently, schedule one today.

Protect Your Vision with Mr. Opticals

At Mr. Opticals, we provide:

  • Comprehensive glaucoma screening

  • Advanced diagnostic imaging

  • Personalized treatment plans

  • Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care

Our goal is early detection and long-term vision protection.

Final Thoughts

Glaucoma is silent but serious. By the time symptoms appear, permanent damage may already have occurred.

Don’t wait for vision loss. Schedule your glaucoma screening at Mr. Opticals today and protect your eyesight for the future.

Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Mr Opticals 28 February 2026
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