Glaucoma Without Symptoms: The Vision You Might Be Losing

30/09/2025

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight,” and for good reason it progresses without pain or obvious symptoms until significant vision loss occurs. In the UAE, many residents remain unaware they have this serious condition until it is advanced. At Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE , our expert Spanish consultants provide comprehensive glaucoma care, from early detection using advanced diagnostics like tonometry, OCT, and visual field testing, to personalized treatment plans including eye drops, laser therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. Early detection and timely treatment are key to preserving vision and maintaining quality of life.

What is Glaucoma ?

Glaucoma is not a single disease but a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the crucial link that carries images from the eye to the brain. In most cases, this damage is caused by elevated intraocular pressure, which slowly erodes the nerve fibers. But glaucoma can also occur even with normal pressure levels, making it more complex than just a pressure problem.

What makes it frightening is that once optic nerve fibers are destroyed, they do not regenerate. The vision that is lost is lost forever.

Why is Glaucoma Hard to Detect?

The reason so many people miss the signs is that glaucoma starts by affecting peripheral vision. You do not suddenly wake up with blurred central sight. Instead, the outer edges of vision fade away quietly. The brain adapts and fills in gaps, so you continue with daily life unaware. Driving, reading, and working seem normal until one day you realize that entire sections of sight are gone. By then, the disease is usually advanced.

Who is at Risk?

Some groups are at higher risk than others:

Age – Risk increases significantly after 40.
Family history – Glaucoma can run in families.
Health conditions – Diabetes and high blood pressure increase vulnerability.
Severe myopia – People with high short-sightedness face increased risks.

In the Middle East, where diabetes and hypertension are common and many residents fall into these risk categories, glaucoma represents a particularly serious concern.

How is Glaucoma Detected?

The only reliable way to detect glaucoma early is through regular comprehensive eye exams. At Barraquer Eye Hospital UAE, this includes advanced diagnostics:

Tonometry – Measures eye pressure.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) – Scans the optic nerve and retinal layers to detect microscopic damage before vision is affected.
Visual field testing – Maps the edges of sight, showing the subtle changes that patients themselves may not notice.

When combined, these tests give a complete picture that can identify glaucoma in its earliest, most treatable stage.

Prevention is Key

The key message is prevention. If you are over 40, if you have diabetes or hypertension, or if glaucoma runs in your family, you cannot rely on symptoms to alert you. You must rely on routine exams. Early diagnosis means treatments are more effective, and vision can be preserved. Waiting until vision changes are noticeable is waiting too long.

At Barraquer UAE, we believe that awareness is the strongest weapon against this silent disease. By educating communities about the risks, by offering state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, and by tailoring treatments to each individual, we protect not only sight but also peace of mind.

Treatment Options

Treatment for glaucoma has come a long way in recent decades. While the disease cannot be cured, its progression can be slowed dramatically.

Eye drops – First line of defense to lower intraocular pressure.
Laser treatments – Such as selective laser trabeculoplasty, effective and non-invasive.
Surgical options – Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) creates new pathways for fluid drainage with fewer complications and faster recovery.

Coping with Glaucoma

Living with glaucoma requires commitment. Regular follow-up visits, daily use of medications, and consistent monitoring are vital. Many patients describe the emotional burden of knowing they must treat their eyes every day to hold on to the vision they still have.

Yet within this responsibility lies hope. With proper care, many people with glaucoma continue to live full, independent lives with their sight intact.

Remember: Regular screening is the only way to stay one step ahead of the silent thief of sight and safeguard the vision that shapes every moment of life.

Schedule a Consultation Today

For consultation, please contact us:

Email: appointments@barraquer.ae
Phone (Outside the UAE): +971 4 573 9999
Toll-Free (Within the UAE): 800 234823 (BEHUAE)
Availability: 7 days a week, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Extended hours on Monday until 8:00 PM

Our team will be pleased to assist you.