If you’re already living with glaucoma, you know how critical early detection is. But many people around you may still think, “If I can see fine, I must be fine.” That’s a dangerous assumption, and one that Mitzi Swift, Clinical Research Coordinator at the UAB Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is working hard to correct. Her story shows how routine care and persistence can make all the difference, and why sharing this knowledge could help someone else preserve their sight.

You Don’t Have to Feel It for It to Be Real

Glaucoma often shows no symptoms until it’s too late. Mitzi Swift herself didn’t know she was at risk until a routine exam flagged her as a glaucoma suspect:

“People don’t realize, well, I don’t have an eye problem. I don’t have any signs or symptoms.”

She had no pain, no vision loss, just a quiet shift that her doctor caught because she kept up with annual exams. That alone might have changed the course of her vision health.

One Year Can Make a Big Difference

Mitzi’s case shows how fast things can change. She was doing everything right, getting exams, following care, but one year brought something new:

“Something changed in the time from that one year that I had my eye exam to the next one.”

Because she followed up promptly, her care team got her the testing she needed. That kind of vigilance is what stops glaucoma from progressing unnoticed.

Stay Ready—And Help Others Do the Same

Now, Mitzi goes twice a year for exams, keeps a close eye on her pressure, and follows every precaution, even though she hasn’t developed full glaucoma.

“I do all the things that are necessary, so if I do develop that disease, then I can catch it early because that is also key as well.”

If you’re already managing glaucoma, you’ve likely been through a similar turning point. Sharing that story, how you found out, what signs you had (or didn’t), what made you take action, could help someone else catch it before damage sets in.

Spread the Word: Tools and Support Are Available

Want to help someone else protect their vision? Share these trusted resources from Prevent Blindness with friends, family, or anyone who might be at risk. 

Help Others Take the First Step

You know what it’s like to hear “you have glaucoma.” Don’t keep that experience to yourself. Share this article, or better yet, share your own story. You could be the reason someone else gets checked in time to save their sight.

*Prevent Blindness Video (October 2024). What can help people at risk for glaucoma. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDl7HW7-5rg

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