Glaucoma poses a significant threat to vision if left untreated, and while vision loss can make certain activities more dangerous, glaucoma does not pose many inherent threats to your overall health. Here are answers to common questions that glaucoma patients ask their ophthalmologists, including when blindness occurs and when to seek immediate help.*

Does glaucoma affect life expectancy?

Contrary to common misconceptions, glaucoma doesn’t shorten life expectancy. A recent study debunked any correlation between glaucoma and increased mortality rates. Even with comorbid conditions like diabetes, the mortality risk primarily stemmed from greater age. 

Another, smaller, study highlighted that timely intervention can prevent visual handicaps and blindness in older adults within two decades of diagnosis.

What is the timeline to blindness?

The speed at which glaucoma leads to blindness varies depending on the type and promptness of treatment. Emergency medical attention is crucial for severe forms like angle-closure glaucoma, where blindness can occur within days without intervention. 

Other types, such as the more common primary open-angle glaucoma, may lead to gradual vision loss over time, usually years, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.

How can I slow down my glaucoma?

While there’s no cure for glaucoma, treatments aim to control the condition and slow or even halt the deterioration of vision. Initiating treatment promptly offers the best prognosis. Options include:

• Medicated eye drops, 
• Laser therapy, and 
• Drainage-improvement surgery. 

Although existing vision loss is currently irreversible, treatment can prevent further damage.

Regular eye exams and seeking help 

Regular eye exams are vital for early glaucoma detection, as symptoms may not manifest until later stages. Individuals with risk factors, such as older age and/or a family history of glaucoma, should prioritize regular screenings. Also let your eye doctor know of any changes in your vision.

Any sudden changes warrant immediate medical attention, particularly symptoms indicating angle-closure glaucoma, such as:

• Severe eye pain,
• Blurred vision, 
• Headache and dizziness, and/or
• Nausea and vomiting.

While glaucoma doesn’t threaten life expectancy, its impact on vision underscores the importance of proactive management. Early detection, coupled with timely intervention, is pivotal in preserving vision and reducing the risk of blindness.

*Sissons, B. (2024, May 1). What is the outlook for someone with glaucoma? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-glaucoma-kill-you?utm_source=ReadNext