What Are Glaucoma Symptoms?

Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight for a reason: in the most common form (open-angle glaucoma), there are no early symptoms at all. By the time patients notice something wrong, they have often lost 40% or more of their peripheral vision — and that vision cannot be recovered.

Open-angle glaucoma — the silent type

This is the most common form. Symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages:

• Difficulty seeing to the side (peripheral vision loss)
• Bumping into door frames or missing kerbs
• Trouble driving at night
• Tunnel vision in advanced cases

Angle-closure glaucoma — the emergency type

This form comes on suddenly and is a genuine medical emergency:

• Severe eye pain, often with headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sudden blurring of vision
• Halos around lights (like a rainbow ring)
• Red eye with a fixed, mid-dilated pupil

If any of these are present, go to an eye emergency service immediately — call +91 97115 11001.

Who is at risk of glaucoma?

• Age above 40
• Family history of glaucoma (first-degree relative — 4x risk)
• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• High myopia (short-sightedness)
• Prolonged steroid use (drops, inhalers, tablets)
• Previous eye injury or surgery

How we diagnose glaucoma at Nehchal Eye Centre

Because symptoms come late, diagnosis relies on objective measurements: intraocular pressure, optic disc examination, OCT of the retinal nerve fibre layer, and automated visual field testing. A one-time comprehensive screening after age 40 is not optional — it is preventive medicine.

Book a glaucoma screening in Noida

If you are over 40, have a family history, or have been on long-term steroids — book a glaucoma screening at our Sector 32 clinic. Call +91 97115 11001.