What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, the structure responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage is often associated with elevated eye pressure, but glaucoma can also occur even when pressure appears normal.

Glaucoma is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because many patients experience little to no symptoms in the early stages. Vision loss from glaucoma is often permanent and irreversible, making early detection and monitoring important.

Risk factors for glaucoma may include:

• Family history of glaucoma

• Elevated eye pressure

• Diabetes

• Long-term steroid use

• High nearsightedness (myopia) (higher prescriptions may increase risk for glaucoma, retinal disease, and other ocular complications)

• Previous eye injury or trauma

• Age and certain ethnic backgrounds

• Thin corneas

• Pseudoexfoliation syndrome or pigment dispersion syndrome

Myopia (Nearsightedness) Management

Higher levels of childhood myopia may increase the risk of future eye conditions. At Seascape Eyecare Associates, myopia management options may include treatments such as MiSight 1 day and Stellest lenses for eligible children to help slow progression over time.

Does a routine eye exam check for glaucoma?

Yes. Comprehensive eye exams routinely screen for glaucoma risk factors and early signs of disease. Depending on findings, screening may include:

• Eye pressure measurement (Tonometry)

• Optic nerve evaluation

• Review of family history and risk factors

• Internal eye health examination

Because glaucoma may develop without symptoms, elevated pressure, or obvious early changes, additional testing may be recommended depending on risk level and findings.

How does our Wellness Scan go beyond routine glaucoma screening?

At Seascape Eyecare Associates, our Wellness Scan provides additional baseline information beyond routine screening, helping monitor subtle structural changes over time.

Our Wellness Scan may include:

• OCT Glaucoma / Nerve imaging (OCT G)

  • (measures optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layers)

• Retinal imaging/photos

  • (creates baseline documentation for future comparison)

• 3D mapping and population comparisons

  • (compares measurements to expected norms)

• Trend analysis over time

  • (helps monitor progression year after year)

Think of the Wellness Scan as creating a baseline record of eye health. Comparing scans over time may help identify changes earlier—even before symptoms develop.

Because glaucoma often progresses gradually, long-term comparison may be just as important as a single measurement obtained on one day.

Common Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma (Most Common Type)

• Develops gradually over time

• Usually has no early symptoms

• Often affects peripheral (side) vision first

• Frequently detected during routine eye exams

Angle-Closure Glaucoma (Less Common / May Require Urgent Care)

Symptoms may include:

• Eye pain

• Headache

• Blurred vision

• Halos around lights

• Nausea or vomiting

Acute angle closure may require urgent evaluation or treatment.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Optic nerve damage occurs despite eye pressure appearing within a normal range.

Secondary Glaucoma

Glaucoma that develops due to another condition affecting the eye’s drainage system.

Examples may include:

• Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG)

  • (protein-like material accumulates inside the eye and interferes with fluid drainage; may progress more aggressively in some patients)

• Pigmentary glaucoma

  • (pigment released from the iris blocks drainage channels and may increase eye pressure; more commonly seen in younger or nearsighted individuals)

• Steroid-induced glaucoma

• Traumatic glaucoma (injury related)

• Inflammatory/Uveitic glaucoma

• Diabetes or vascular disease related glaucoma

• Post-surgical or other secondary causes

Congenital or Pediatric Glaucoma

Rare forms affecting infants or children.

Glaucoma Testing May Include:

At Seascape Eyecare Associates, glaucoma evaluation may include:

• Eye pressure measurement (Tonometry) (checks intraocular pressure)

• Optic nerve evaluation (assesses optic nerve appearance for damage)

• OCT Glaucoma / Nerve Imaging (OCT G) (analyzes optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber thickness)

• Visual Field Testing (checks peripheral vision loss patients may not notice)

• Retinal imaging/photos (documents baseline findings and progression)

• Pachymetry (measures corneal thickness which may affect pressure interpretation)

• Gonioscopy (evaluates drainage angle anatomy when indicated)

• Trend and progression analysis over time (compares changes year after year)

Depending on symptoms, findings, or risk factors, additional advanced testing may also include:

• Rabin Cone Contrast Test (Color Vision Testing)
  • (evaluates color vision deficiencies and may help identify functional changes associated with optic nerve, retinal, or neurologic conditions when indicated)
• Advanced retinal imaging and OCT analysis

Glaucoma monitoring often relies on multiple tests and long-term comparison, rather than a single measurement.

How is glaucoma managed?

Treatment depends on glaucoma type, severity, and progression.

Management may include:

• Routine monitoring and repeat testing (for low-risk or early findings)

• Prescription eye drops (to reduce eye pressure)

• Laser procedures (scope varies by provider and state regulations)

• Co-management with ophthalmology when needed

• Referral for advanced surgical treatment in certain cases

The goal of treatment is often to slow or prevent additional vision loss, since glaucoma-related damage may not be reversible.

Why early detection matters

Many patients with glaucoma feel their vision is normal until significant damage has already occurred.

Routine eye exams, baseline imaging, and ongoing monitoring may help identify changes earlier—before symptoms become noticeable.

​​​​​​​Concerned about glaucoma or have a family history?

Schedule a glaucoma evaluation with Seascape Eyecare Associates.