Glaucoma: Spot It Early, Treat It Right

Glaucoma quietly damages the optic nerve and is a top cause of permanent vision loss. Most people don’t notice it until peripheral vision is gone. Want to keep your eyesight? Know the signs and how treatment works, and learn safe ways to get the right medicines.

What to watch for and how doctors check for it

Early glaucoma often has no pain. The common early sign is losing side vision—things at the edges seem to disappear. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is different: it can cause sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, nausea, and a very red eye. If any of that happens, seek emergency care.

At a clinic, an eye doctor will measure intraocular pressure (IOP) with a tonometer, look at the optic nerve with special lenses, and test your visual field to map blind spots. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans the nerve layers and helps track small changes over time. These tests together tell the doctor whether glaucoma is present and how fast it’s progressing.

Treatment options and simple choices you can expect

The first-line treatment for most people is daily eye drops that lower eye pressure. Common types include prostaglandin analogs (like latanoprost) and beta blockers (like timolol). Drops usually work well when used correctly, but they can have side effects: redness, eye irritation, or, rarely, breathing or heart effects with some drops.

If drops aren’t enough or you can’t use them reliably, laser procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) can lower pressure for months to years. Surgery—trabeculectomy or newer MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery)—is an option when other treatments fail. Your doctor will match the choice to how aggressive the disease is and your overall health.

Stick with treatment and keep follow-up appointments. Glaucoma control is about steady pressure management, not quick fixes. Missed doses, dropped check-ups, or stopping meds because you feel fine are common causes of worsening vision.

How to get glaucoma meds safely

Need eye drops? Always use a pharmacy that requires a prescription. Ask your doctor for a clear prescription and directions. If you shop online, verify the pharmacy: check for real contact info, a physical address, and pharmacy approval seals like CIPA or NABP. Beware sites that sell prescription drops without a prescription or offer suspiciously low prices.

Compare prices, ask about generics (they can be much cheaper), and consider discount programs if cost is an issue. If you’re older, check Medicare or local assistance programs for savings. When you receive drops, inspect the packaging and expiry date. If the bottle looks different than usual or causes an unusual reaction, stop using it and call your doctor immediately.

Glaucoma is manageable when caught early. Pay attention to changes in side vision, keep your eye exams, and use trusted pharmacies for medications. If you have questions about specific drops or buying options, talk to your eye doctor or pharmacist—they can point you to safe, affordable choices.