Glaucoma is often called the “thief in the night” for a good reason—it can damage your vision without any warning signs. This serious eye condition harms the optic nerve and, if not treated, can lead to permanent blindness.
A new study from Sweden has revealed just how common and sneaky glaucoma can be, especially in older adults. The research was part of the H70 project, a long-term study that has tracked the health of elderly people in Sweden for 50 years. This part of the project looked closely at the eye health of 560 people aged 70.
The results were surprising. Almost 5% of the participants had glaucoma, and half of them didn’t even know they had it until they were tested for the study. This shows how often glaucoma goes undiagnosed—and how important regular eye check-ups are as we get older.
Lena Havstam Johansson, who led the research, said early detection is key to protecting your vision. Glaucoma can often be treated easily with daily eye drops. These drops lower the pressure inside the eye, which helps protect the optic nerve from further damage.
One reason glaucoma often goes unnoticed is because it starts off with no symptoms. In the early stages, one eye may lose vision slowly, but the other eye makes up for it. This makes it hard to tell something is wrong until a lot of damage has already been done.
The study also found that many people diagnosed with glaucoma had normal eye pressure. This challenges the old idea that high eye pressure is the only warning sign. Clearly, eye pressure tests alone are not enough to catch every case.
Family history also plays a big role. The study confirmed that people with close relatives who have glaucoma are at higher risk themselves. So if glaucoma runs in your family, regular eye exams are especially important.
Interestingly, the study showed that people with glaucoma often feel just as happy and active as those without the condition. They didn’t report higher levels of smoking or alcohol use either.
However, they did have more trouble with daily activities like climbing stairs, noticing things out of the corner of their eye, or seeing curbs in dim light. These issues can make them more likely to stay home or avoid going out at night.
The findings are important for anyone approaching 70 or older—and for those with a family history of glaucoma. Regular eye exams can catch the disease early, when it’s easiest to manage. Catching it in time can make a big difference in keeping your vision strong for years to come.
The good news is that glaucoma doesn’t have to mean the end of a good life. With early treatment, many people continue to live actively and independently.
This research is a strong reminder to take eye health seriously. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Get your eyes checked regularly, especially as you age or if you have a family history of eye problems. By being proactive, you can stop glaucoma before it steals your sight.
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These important findings were published in the journal Acta Ophthalmologica.
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