Who Is at Risk for Glaucoma and How to Detect It Early

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can damage the optic nerve gradually, without noticeable symptoms at first. In many cases, vision changes do not appear until permanent loss has already occurred. The good news is that glaucoma can often be detected early with routine eye exams and targeted testing.

Who Is at Higher Risk for Glaucoma?

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors raise the likelihood. If you have one or more of the risks below, regular glaucoma screening is especially important:

• Age 60 and older (risk increases with age)
• Family history of glaucoma
• African, Hispanic, or Asian heritage (risk varies by glaucoma type)
• Elevated eye pressure (high intraocular pressure)
• Diabetes, high blood pressure, or circulation concerns
• Long-term steroid use (eye drops, pills, inhalers, or injections)
• Past eye injury or eye surgery
• Moderate to high nearsightedness or other optic nerve concerns

Common Types and What Symptoms Can Look Like

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form and typically develops slowly. Many people do not feel pain or notice early vision changes, which is why screening matters.

Angle-closure glaucoma is less common but can become an emergency. Symptoms may include sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, and a red eye. If these occur, seek urgent eye care right away.

How We Detect Glaucoma Early

Early glaucoma detection is not based on a single test. We use a combination of measurements and imaging to evaluate eye pressure, the optic nerve, and your field of vision. Depending on your risk factors and exam findings, glaucoma testing may include:

• Tonometry to measure eye pressure
• Optic nerve evaluation and retinal imaging
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess nerve fiber thickness
• Visual field testing to identify subtle peripheral vision changes
• Gonioscopy to evaluate the drainage angle
• Corneal thickness measurement, which can affect pressure readings

When to Schedule Glaucoma Screening

For many adults, glaucoma screening is part of a comprehensive eye exam. If you are in a higher-risk group, earlier and more frequent exams may be recommended, even if your vision seems fine. We also watch for early warning patterns like optic nerve cupping, pressure trends over time, or small visual field changes that you would not notice day to day.

What You Can Do Between Eye Exams

You cannot “feel” early glaucoma, but you can protect your long-term eye health by staying consistent with eye exams, taking medications as prescribed if you are being monitored, and sharing your health history with your eye doctor - including steroid use, diabetes management, and family history of eye disease.

Protect your eyes for the long run and schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Family Vision Center.  Visit our office is in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, or call (262) 377-3937 to book an appointment today.