Glaucoma is a serious group of eye conditions that quietly and progressively damage the optic nerve, often due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It’s known as the “silent thief of sight” because it typically causes no pain or noticeable symptoms—until significant vision is lost. Often beginning with peripheral (side) vision loss, the disease can lead to irreversible blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. If you have recently been diagnosed with glaucoma, here are a few common myths, misconceptions, and realities about the disease.*

Debunking Common Glaucoma Myths

• Glaucoma only affects older adults.
  Not true. While risk increases with age, glaucoma can affect infants (congenital glaucoma), teens, and adults as young as 40.
• You’ll know if you have it.
  Incorrect. Glaucoma causes no pain or obvious symptoms until advanced stages. Most people notice only after significant vision loss.
• Vision loss is guaranteed.
  False. If glaucoma is diagnosed and treated early enough, vision loss can be minimized and potentially prevented. Vision that is lost, however, cannot be recovered.
• Only high eye pressure matters.
  Misleading. Some people develop glaucoma with normal pressure (“normal-tension glaucoma”), while others with high IOP never do.
• It’s preventable.
  Not yet. Research into preventing glaucoma is ongoing. In the meantime, lifestyle changes—like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and managing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure—can lower risk.

Risk Factors and Smart Choices

Family history, age, race and ethnicity (especially African American and Latino populations for open-angle and Asian populations for closed-angle), thin corneas, and diabetes all raise risk. Support eye health by avoiding:

• Caffeine,  
• Saturated and trans fats, and 
• Excessive salt. 

Moderate exercise, such as walking, is helpful—but avoid:

• Head-down yoga poses, 
• Heavy lifting, or 
• Activities that raise eye pressure like bungee jumping.

Since glaucoma doesn’t announce itself with early symptoms, regular eye exams are crucial. A comprehensive exam can detect changes in eye pressure, optic nerve health, and visual field—often long before you notice vision loss. While vision already lost cannot be recovered, treatment can halt or significantly slow further damage. 

Don’t wait for symptoms that you can detect yourself. Keep up with your eye exams and pressure monitoring, especially if you fall into a high-risk category. With early intervention and consistent appropriate care, glaucoma can be managed—and your vision preserved.

*Banks Eye Care. (2025, January 7). Glaucoma Myths vs. Reality: 10 Things You Need to Know. https://www.bankseyecare.com/glaucoma-myths-vs-reality-10-things-you-need-to-know/ 

To ensure that we always provide you with high-quality, reliable information, Responsum Health closely vets all sources. We do not, however, endorse or recommend any specific providers, treatments, or products, and the use of a given source does not imply an endorsement of any provider, treatment, medication, procedure, or device discussed within.