Most people don’t realise they have glaucoma until something has already gone wrong. It doesn’t usually begin with pain or sudden blindness. Instead, it slowly reduces your sight over time. That is why it is often described as the silent thief of sight.

For Nigerians over 40, this deserves real attention. Age increases the risk, and in many cases, people only go for eye checks when their vision has already begun to fail. By then, the damage cannot be reversed.

What exactly Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the part of the eye responsible for sending visual information to the brain. This damage is often caused by increased pressure inside the eye.

If left untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness, and in Nigeria, it accounts for about 16.7% of all blindness cases.

One of the most frustrating things about glaucoma is how normal everything can feel at the beginning. Your eyes may look fine. Your vision may seem clear. There may be no pain at all. The National Eye Institute explains that early-stage glaucoma often has no symptoms, which is why many people only discover it during routine eye examinations.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights early warning signs of glaucoma every Nigerian over 40 should know.

Even though glaucoma is often silent, the body sometimes gives small hints. The problem is that these signs are easy to overlook or dismiss. The signs are:

Gradual loss of side vision is usually the first change, and it happens slowly. You may not notice it immediately, but you might begin to bump into things more often or struggle to see objects beside you. Over time, your field of vision can start to narrow. The Mayo Clinic notes that glaucoma typically affects peripheral vision before central vision.

Slight blurriness in vision

This is not the kind of blur that causes panic. It is usually mild and comes gradually. Reading may feel a bit harder, and seeing clearly at night may become more difficult. Many people assume it is just ageing.

Seeing halos around lights

Some people begin to notice rainbow-like rings around bulbs or headlights, especially in the evening. This can be a sign linked to increased eye pressure

Frequent changes in glasses prescription

If your glasses need to be adjusted more often than usual, it may not just be normal vision fluctuation. It can sometimes point to underlying changes in the eye.

Mild eye pain or a feeling of pressure

In some cases, there is a dull ache or a sense that the eye feels heavy. It is usually not severe, which is why it is often ignored.

Recurrent headaches around the eyes

These headaches tend to sit around the forehead or eye region. They are easy to dismiss as stress or fatigue, but they may be linked to eye pressure.

Persistent redness of the eye

While occasional redness is common, continued redness, especially with discomfort, should not be overlooked. (Nigerian Tribune)