FAQs About Glaucoma as Awareness Month Concludes

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. With the condition being a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the US,1 education surrounding glaucoma is paramount to helping patients identify the condition before it affects vision. As Glaucoma Awareness Month draws to a close, here are some frequently asked questions surrounding glaucoma that may help in both identifying and treating glaucoma in those affected.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the US, making it important to diagnose before permanent vision loss | Image credit: Coetzee/peopleimages.com - stock.adobe.com

What is the first sign of glaucoma?

Glaucoma often does not cause symptoms early on, which can lead to many patients not knowing they have the eye condition until vision damage has already been sustained.2 However, some patients may experience eye pain, headaches, double vision, blurred vision, eye pressure, gradually developing blind spots, or gradually developing low vision.

Are there emergency symptoms?

A type of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma, which can come on quickly, with sudden and severe symptoms reported that require immediate medical attention to avoid a permanent loss of vision. Symptoms can include rainbow-colored halos around lights, eye pain or pressure that coincides with nausea or vomiting, and sudden vision loss.

Who is at the highest risk of glaucoma?

Glaucoma can occur in anyone, but some individuals are more likely to develop glaucoma than others. Individuals with a family history of glaucoma are often at an increased risk of developing glaucoma themselves. Women are more likely than men to have angle-closure glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma is more common in Black individuals, whereas those of Asian and Inuit descent have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma. Age can also play a part, as most individuals with glaucoma are aged 40 years and older. Individuals with myopia are more likely to have open-angle glaucoma, whereas those with hyperopia have a higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Can glaucoma be prevented?

Glaucoma cannot be prevented as far as eye doctors are aware. Patients can choose to make lifestyle choices that benefit eye health, such as eating leafy green vegetables3 and exercising moderately vs vigorously to avoid elevating eye pressure, but these methods are not able to prevent glaucoma. Ultimately, the best way to prevent glaucoma is to see an ophthalmologist for dilated eye exams annually so that the condition can be caught early and vision can be prevented from worsening.

What are the treatment options?

Because vision loss cannot be reversed, it is imperative to start treatment for glaucoma as soon as possible so as not to lead to worsening vision. Medication can include prescription eye drops that can lower the intraocular pressure.4 These include prostaglandins, rho kinase inhibitors, nitric oxides, and miotic or cholinergic agents that can be personalized with communication with the eye doctor.5 Alpha-adrenergic agonists, β-blockers, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can help with lowering the amount of fluid the eye makes. Glaucoma surgery is also available and can include trabeculectomy to treat open-angle glaucoma, which involves a surgeon creating a tiny opening in the eye to encourage drainage of fluids.6

Secondary causes of glaucoma, such as congenital and neovascular glaucoma, might be treated with implant surgery, where a tiny tube is placed to help drain fluid. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is also available for those with mild glaucoma and aims to lower eye pressure. There are many different forms of MIGS, so communication with the doctor is important to determine if it is the best method of treatment. Laser treatment may also be an option, as it can help fluid to drain out of the eye effectively. These means of treatment can help patients avoid the worst of the consequences of glaucoma, as the goal of all treatment is to control eye pressure and avoid further vision loss.

References

1. Eye health observances. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.aao.org/newsroom/observances
2. Glaucoma. Cleveland Clinic. Updated November 12, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4212-glaucoma
3. McKinney JK, Turbert D. 10 things to do today to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. American Academy of Ophthalmology. February 6, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/easy-steps-to-prevent-vision-loss-from-glaucoma
4. Glaucoma. National Eye Institute. Updated November 26, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma
5. Glaucoma medicines. National Eye Institute. Updated December 5, 2024. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/glaucoma-medicines
6. Glaucoma surgery. National Eye Institute. December 5, 2024. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/glaucoma-surgery