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Research estimates that there are around 80 million people worldwide with glaucoma (Glaucoma Research Foundation). Yet interestingly, around half of them don’t know they have the condition – even though if left untreated, it can cause blindness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified glaucoma as the world’s second leading cause of blindness. The Glaucoma Research Foundation also predicts that, by 2040, around 22 million people worldwide will be blind from the condition.
While this statistic sounds alarming, the more positive news is that early detection of glaucoma can help preserve vision. This is why being aware of glaucoma and its symptoms, and attending regular eye exams, is so important — especially if you’re at a higher risk of developing the condition.
To help with this, we’ve partnered with Boots Opticians* to explore how to spot glaucoma and prevent vision loss. Knowledge is power, so getting as clued up as possible about glaucoma is a key step in looking after your eyes.
Boots Opticians also offers an Advanced Eye Test consisting of an essential eye exam plus an OCT scan, which gives a more in-depth view of the eyes. The scan looks beneath the retina’s layers to spot over 10 health conditions, including glaucoma.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure inside the eye. The optic nerve is essential for vision, as it transmits signals from the eye to the brain.
Glaucoma often develops gradually and may not show symptoms until vision is affected. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent sight loss. There are different types of glaucoma, including…
- Primary open-angle glaucoma – This is the most common type, developing gradually over several years without causing pain. It occurs when the eye’s drainage system doesn’t function properly, leading to increased eye pressure.
- Secondary glaucoma – This type results from an existing eye condition, injury, surgery, or medication. Conditions like inflammation of the eye can also contribute to its development.
- Childhood glaucoma – Also known as congenital glaucoma, this rare condition appears in very young children due to an abnormality in eye development.
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma – A less common but serious form that occurs when the eye’s drainage channels suddenly become blocked. It can be painful and may cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
Risk factors include…
- Age – glaucoma becomes more common as you get older.
- Ethnicity – people of African, Caribbean, or Asian origin have a higher risk.
- Family history – if you have a parent or sibling with the condition, you’re more likely to develop glaucoma.
- Other medical conditions – such as diabetes, long-sightedness, and short-sightedness.
Since vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, regular eye tests are essential for early detection and monitoring, especially for those at higher risk.
Symptoms of glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because many people don’t realise they have it until significant vision loss has already happened. It develops slowly over many years, affects your peripheral vision, and is typically picked up on routine eye tests.
Acute angle closure glaucoma, on the other hand, can come on quickly and may include…
- Intense pain or redness in your eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Blurry vision or seeing rings or ‘halos’ around lights
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your nearest eye casualty unit or accident and emergency department as soon as possible.
Testing for glaucoma – what to expect
For most people, glaucoma is picked up during a routine eye exam – so it’s important to get your eyes checked at least every two years unless your doctor or optician tells you otherwise.
During an eye test at Boots Opticians, an optometrist will conduct a series of quick, painless tests to screen for glaucoma. These tests include…
- Visual field test – Looking into a machine, you’ll be asked to press a button every time you see a dot of light. The test checks for gaps in your peripheral vision (everything you’re not looking at directly), as this can be a sign of glaucoma.
- Eye pressure test – This is usually an “air puff test.” A small puff of air is directed from a machine onto each eye and back again. Eye pressure is normally raised when glaucoma is present.
- Optic nerve assessment – The optic nerve may look different in patients with glaucoma. To check your optic nerve, an optometrist will examine your eyes using specialist equipment and take photographs of the back of the eye.
- OCT scan – This is a relatively new scan that looks at the retina to detect various underlying conditions, like glaucoma. Over time, your optometrist can compare OCT scans to detect even the smallest changes in your eye health. Boots Opticians offers OCT scans alongside essential eye exams for an additional fee, as part of an Advanced Eye Test. You can find out more about OCT scans in our article: What is an OCT scan and why is it so important for eye health?
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
How is glaucoma treated?
There’s currently no cure for glaucoma – and while vision already lost to the condition can’t be recovered, timely intervention can prevent further damage.
If you’re diagnosed with glaucoma, your treatment plan will be customised to your specific needs. It may include…
- Medicinal approaches – Eye drops to reduce the pressure in the eyes may be prescribed for use one to four times a day (even if you haven’t noticed any problems with your vision).
- Light-based interventions – Precision laser therapy uses concentrated light energy to target drainage pathways (to help eyes drain more easily) or fluid-producing tissues (to reduce the amount of fluid in the eyes). This can help maintain healthy eye pressure levels.
- Surgical solutions – Procedures like ‘trabeculectomy’ create new drainage channels, helping the eyes drain more easily and preventing fluid buildup (and therefore, pressure buildup).
Treatment by glaucoma-type
- For primary open-angle glaucoma, treatment typically begins with prescription eye drops, sometimes followed by laser therapy or surgery if pressure remains uncontrolled.
- Secondary glaucoma requires addressing the underlying cause while managing pressure through medications, laser treatments, or surgery.
- Acute angle closure glaucoma requires immediate hospital intervention with pressure-reducing medications followed by laser procedures.
- Childhood glaucoma often requires surgical correction of the structural issues that are causing fluid buildup and increased eye pressure.
Can glaucoma be prevented?
Glaucoma itself can’t be prevented, but the risk of vision loss from glaucoma can be significantly reduced with early detection and proper management.
Below are some ways you may be able to reduce your risk of vision loss from glaucoma.
5 ways to reduce your risk of vision loss from glaucoma
1. Attend regular eye exams
The most effective way to prevent glaucoma-related vision loss is through routine eye tests. Most people should have an eye exam at least every two years, but if you’re at higher risk, yearly exams may be recommended. If you’re unsure how often you should be having eye tests, it’s important to speak to an optician.
2. Know your risk
Age, ethnicity, family history, and certain medical conditions (like diabetes) can increase the risk of developing glaucoma. More frequent eye exams are essential if you’re in a high-risk group, so it’s important to be aware of the risk factors and how these apply to you.
3. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise
Research suggests that obese people may be more likely to develop glaucoma. This is due to an increased risk of raised eye pressure, neuroinflammation in the eyes, and decreased blood flow to the eyes. Therefore, losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is an important step to take.
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to making healthier lifestyle choices, try to remember that, often, small steps can make a big difference. For example, you could start parking your car further away from work so that you’re encouraged to walk – or experimenting with some new healthy breakfast recipes that’ll keep you energised and satisfied until lunch.
Studies also suggest that engaging in brisk aerobic exercise for 30 to 45 minutes, three to four times per week can increase blood flow to the brain and eyes while reducing eye pressure. For inspiration, check out the fitness and exercise section of our website.
4. Keep blood pressure under control
Both high and low blood pressure are linked to an increased risk of glaucoma, with high blood pressure being more common. Managing blood pressure is essential for overall health and may help reduce glaucoma risk.
Certain lifestyle factors can help to reduce high blood pressure, such as eating a balanced, heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of protein, fibre, potassium, and fresh fruit and vegetables – as well as reducing your intake of salt and processed foods, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
For low blood pressure, staying hydrated, eating foods rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, and monitoring your thyroid and blood sugar levels may help.
If you’re worried about your blood pressure or haven’t had it checked in a while, it’s worth making an appointment with your GP or popping into your local pharmacy.
5. Quit smoking
Smoking has been linked with increased eye pressure, a key risk factor for developing glaucoma. Elevated eye pressure can contribute to optic nerve damage, potentially leading to vision loss over time.
A 2021 study published in Ophthalmology Glaucoma found that both current and former smokers tend to have higher eye pressure compared to nonsmokers. The study also revealed that this pressure difference was more apparent in individuals already diagnosed with glaucoma, suggesting that smoking may exacerbate the condition.
Given these findings, avoiding or quitting smoking may be an important step in protecting eye health and reducing the risk of glaucoma-related complications.
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.
Final thoughts…
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, but with early detection and proactive management, vision loss can often be prevented. The key is to stay informed, know your risk, and attend regular eye exams.
By making simple lifestyle changes – such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure and quitting smoking – you can take important steps toward preserving your vision. And if you ever notice symptoms like blurry vision, eye pain, or halos around lights, don’t wait to visit your nearest eye casualty unit or accident and emergency department.
It’s also important to make sure you attend routine eye exams at least every two years. At Boots Opticians, an Advanced Eye Test includes an essential eye exam plus an OCT scan, which gives a more in-depth view of the eyes. The scan looks beneath the retina’s layers to spot over 10 health conditions, including glaucoma.
Do you have regular eye tests? Or do you have experience with glaucoma? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
Free NHS eye tests plus 10% off glasses for over 60s
Booking an appointment online has never been easier, and with a range of offers from 10% off if you’re over 60, 2nd pairs half price & a free NHS eye test if eligible, our expert optometrists are here to help you on your journey to clearer vision.