What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

The insidious nature of glaucoma is that early-stage open-angle glaucoma—the most common type—typically has no noticeable symptoms. Symptoms only appear after significant irreversible vision loss has already occurred.

Symptoms by Stage

Early Glaucoma: Often No Symptoms

In the early stages, you may have no symptoms at all. The only way to detect glaucoma before vision loss is through a comprehensive eye examination that includes measuring eye pressure, inspecting the drainage angle, examining the optic nerve, and testing peripheral vision.

Progressive Glaucoma: Vision Changes

As glaucoma progresses, you may notice:

• Patchy blind spots in your peripheral (side) vision
• Difficulty seeing in low light
• Blurred vision that comes and goes
• Haloes or rainbow-colored rings around lights

Advanced Glaucoma: Tunnel Vision

In advanced stages, you may experience:

• Significant peripheral vision loss (tunnel vision)
• Difficulty navigating or detecting objects to the sides
• Loss of ability to drive safely
• Central vision loss (in severe, untreated cases)

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Medical Emergency

Unlike open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma can develop suddenly with severe symptoms:

• Sudden intense eye pain
• Sudden vision blurring or loss
• Seeing halos around lights
• Redness
• Nausea and vomiting

If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Why Symptoms Come So Late

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve gradually. Because your brain can compensate for small areas of vision loss, and because peripheral vision is often last to be noticed, you may not realize you're losing vision until a large portion of your visual field is gone.