When it comes to eye health, one of the most commonly searched questions on the web is, “What is the first sign of glaucoma?” Other people may ask the internet what glaucoma symptoms are.

Glaucoma, unlike most diseases and conditions of the eye, is actually a group of diseases that gradually cause pressure to build in the eye. Over time, this increase in pressure affects the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss.  Glaucoma is also the leading cause of blindness in adults.

Unfortunately, the onset of vision loss resulting from glaucoma is often so gradual that the condition is not diagnosed until detected during an eye exam or until irreversible damage has already occurred.

According to recent estimates, more than 3 million people over the age of 40 in the United States are currently living with glaucoma. Because the condition is often asymptomatic, most people are not aware they have the disease.  

While there’s no cure for the condition, there are several effective treatment options to slow or prevent vision loss—if the first signs of glaucoma are discovered early.