Glaucoma can sneak up on your vision, often with no early warning signs. At Couture Optical, we’re here to help Brooklyn patients detect and manage it before lasting damage occurs.
If you’ve ever worried about cloudy vision, patchy blind spots, or unexplained eye discomfort, it’s worth asking your optometrist whether glaucoma could be the cause. Often called the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss, and many patients don’t even realize they have it until it’s advanced.
In this blog, we’ll break down what glaucoma symptoms look like at each stage, what causes them, and how our Brooklyn optometrists manage the condition so you can preserve your sight for years to come.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, the part of your eye responsible for sending images to your brain. While some types cause rapid changes, most cases (especially open-angle glaucoma) develop slowly over time.
Early Symptoms of Open-Angle Glaucoma
- Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Tunnel vision as the disease advances
- Mild eye discomfort or headaches (rare)
Most people won’t notice any symptoms early on — which is why routine eye exams are critical.
Symptoms of Angle-Closure Glaucoma (a medical emergency)
- Sudden blurry vision
- Severe eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Red eyes and halos around lights
If you experience these symptoms, head to the emergency room or contact an eye care provider immediately. Acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss within hours.
Risk Factors to Know
Certain people are more likely to develop glaucoma, including:
- Adults over age 60
- African American and Hispanic patients (earlier onset risk)
- Those with a family history of glaucoma
- People with high eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP)
- Diabetics and those with high blood pressure
If this sounds like you — it’s worth booking a dilated eye exam to screen for glaucoma.
How Is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
At Couture Optical, we perform comprehensive dilated eye exams that go far beyond checking your glasses prescription. During your visit, our optometrists screen for signs of glaucoma using several non-invasive tests, including:
- Tonometry – measures intraocular pressure
- Ophthalmoscopy – checks for optic nerve damage
- Visual field testing – detects blind spots in your side vision
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) – creates detailed images of your optic nerve
Because glaucoma usually progresses without pain or symptoms, early detection through these screenings is the best way to catch it before it causes vision loss.
Treatment Options: What Happens If You Have Glaucoma?
If you're diagnosed with glaucoma, the good news is that early treatment can slow or even stop progression. Treatment depends on the type and severity, but the primary goal is always to reduce pressure inside the eye and protect the optic nerve from further damage.
Common Glaucoma Treatments:
- Prescription eye drops – reduce eye pressure by decreasing fluid production or improving fluid drainage.
- Oral medications – occasionally used alongside drops for added control.
- Laser therapy (e.g. SLT) – improves drainage to lower eye pressure.
- Surgical procedures – create new drainage pathways or insert drainage devices if other methods aren’t effective.
At our Brooklyn clinics, we work closely with each patient to tailor a treatment plan that fits their specific case, lifestyle, and comfort level. While there’s no cure, consistent monitoring and management can prevent serious vision loss.
Glaucoma Care in Brooklyn: Why Choose Couture Optical?
At Couture Optical, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or just due for your next eye exam, our expert team of optometrists provides:
- Personalized glaucoma screenings
- Annual monitoring for at-risk patients
- Guidance on lifestyle factors that impact eye pressure
- Referrals to trusted specialists when surgery is required
We’re proud to serve patients across Brooklyn, helping you stay ahead of vision loss with cutting-edge testing and compassionate care.
Don’t Wait — Protect Your Sight in Brooklyn
Glaucoma doesn’t wait for you to notice. The best way to preserve your vision is by catching it early with a routine eye exam. If you’ve noticed changes in your vision or if it’s just been a while since your last check-up, we’re here to help.
Schedule your glaucoma screeningat our Brooklyn offices to get started.