Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of permanent vision loss around the world, yet many people have never heard of it until they are diagnosed.
The disease slowly damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eyes to the brain. This nerve is essential for clear vision. Once the optic nerve is damaged, the lost eyesight cannot be restored. Because the damage usually happens very slowly and without pain, glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight.”
In the early stages, most people notice no changes in their vision. They can still read, drive, and carry out their normal daily activities. This is because the brain can use information from the healthy eye to make up for the vision that is slowly being lost in the affected eye. As a result, glaucoma may continue to worsen for years before someone realizes there is a problem.
A new study from Sweden suggests that many older adults are living with glaucoma without knowing it. The research is part of the H70 Study, a long-running project that has followed the health of older adults for more than 50 years. The project aims to better understand how aging affects different parts of the body so doctors can improve healthcare for older people.
For this part of the research, eye specialists examined 560 people who were all 70 years old. Each volunteer received a detailed eye examination to look for signs of glaucoma and other eye conditions.
The results surprised the researchers. Nearly 5% of the participants had glaucoma. Even more striking was that about half of those people had never been told they had the disease. They only learned about their condition after taking part in the study.
Lead researcher Dr. Lena Havstam Johansson said this finding highlights the value of regular eye examinations. Detecting glaucoma before vision is badly affected gives patients the chance to begin treatment early and protect the eyesight they still have.
The most common treatment for glaucoma is prescription eye drops that lower the pressure inside the eye. Although these medicines cannot repair damage that has already occurred, they can slow or stop further injury to the optic nerve. Some people may also need laser treatment or surgery if eye drops are not enough to control the disease.
Many people believe glaucoma always causes high pressure inside the eye, but this is not always true. The Swedish study found that many newly diagnosed participants had eye pressure within the normal range.
This means that measuring eye pressure alone cannot identify every case. A complete eye examination, including checking the optic nerve and vision, is the best way to detect glaucoma.
The study also confirmed that family history is an important risk factor. People who have a close relative with glaucoma are more likely to develop the disease themselves. Other factors that increase risk include getting older, certain medical conditions, and belonging to some ethnic groups.
The researchers also looked at how glaucoma affected everyday life. They found that people with the disease were generally just as active and emotionally healthy as those without it. They were no more likely to smoke or drink alcohol and reported a similar quality of life.
However, participants with glaucoma did notice some practical challenges. Many found it harder to see objects at the edges of their vision, especially in dim light. Some had difficulty walking upstairs, seeing curbs, or moving around safely in the evening. These problems can increase the risk of falls and may cause some people to feel less confident about leaving home.
The findings are an important reminder that good vision should never be taken for granted. Even if your eyesight seems normal, regular eye examinations become increasingly important as you get older. This is especially true if glaucoma runs in your family. Early diagnosis gives doctors the best chance to protect your remaining vision.
The researchers hope their findings will encourage more older adults to have regular eye checks. Catching glaucoma early can help many people keep their sight for the rest of their lives and continue enjoying everyday activities without major vision loss.
The study was led by Dr. Lena Havstam Johansson and published in the journal Acta Ophthalmologica. The findings add to growing research showing that routine eye examinations are an important part of healthy aging and can detect silent diseases before they cause permanent damage.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about how vitamin B may help fight vision loss, and MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease.
For more information about eye disease, please see recent studies about how to protect your eyes from glaucoma, and results showing this eye surgery may reduce dementia risk.
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