The Consequences of Undiagnosed Glaucoma and How to Avoid Them

That’s because, if it goes undiagnosed, it can quietly steal vision without any warning signs — until the damage is permanent. The good news? You can take steps to protect your eyesight. In this post, we’ll talk about what happens when glaucoma goes unnoticed, how common it really is, and what you can do to safeguard your vision.

Glaucoma isn’t just one disease — it’s actually a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, the vital link between your eye and your brain. While it’s often tied to elevated eye pressure, that’s not always the case. Over time, this damage usually begins with the edges of your vision (your side vision) and slowly moves toward the center.

There are different types of glaucoma:

Worldwide, about 80 million people live with glaucoma, and in the US, more than 4 million people live with glaucoma. Because glaucoma often shows no symptoms early on, untreated cases can lead to severe vision loss or blindness. On a global scale, the World Health Organization lists glaucoma as the second leading cause of blindness. And while anyone can get glaucoma — even children — certain groups are at higher risk. These include African Americans, people with diabetes, adults over 60, those with a family history of glaucoma, and severely nearsighted individuals. Still, it’s important to remember that glaucoma can affect anyone, even without these risk factors.

Here’s the tricky part: glaucoma rarely causes noticeable symptoms in its early stages. That’s why regular, comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor are the only reliable way to catch glaucoma early. Detecting glaucoma before vision loss begins makes all the difference — giving you the best chance to protect your sight for years to come.

You might be surprised at just how often glaucoma goes undetected.

The takeaway? Glaucoma often hides in plain sight, silently affecting millions of people who may not realize their vision is at risk.

Imagine waking up one day and realizing that parts of your vision are missing — the edges of a page, the curb when you cross the street, even the familiar face of a loved one. For many people with undiagnosed glaucoma, this moment comes far too late. Because glaucoma often creeps in quietly, without pain or warning signs, it can cause serious damage before you even realize something’s wrong.

When glaucoma goes undiagnosed, the impact can be life-changing. Here’s what that can look like:

The bottom line: when you catch glaucoma early, you protect not only your vision but also your independence, financial security, and quality of life. That’s why regular eye exams are so essential.

The best way to protect your vision is simple: catch glaucoma early and take action. With the proper steps, you can lower your risk and help loved ones do the same. Here’s where to start.

Know Your Risk

Glaucoma can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk. 

Don’t Rely on Symptoms

Here’s the tricky part: glaucoma often doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages. Most people don’t notice the slow loss of side vision until the disease is advanced. That’s why regular screenings and comprehensive eye exams matter so much. They’re the only reliable way to spot glaucoma before it steals your sight. 

Make Eye Exams a Habit

Think of eye exams as part of your regular health routine — like going to the dentist or getting a physical. During a comprehensive exam, your doctor can measure eye pressure, check the optic nerve, and test your field of vision. If you’re at higher risk, your doctor may recommend more frequent visits.

Choose Healthy Habits

What’s good for your body is often good for your eyes:

Take Charge of Your Vision 

If your doctor prescribes eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery, staying consistent with treatment makes all the difference. These therapies help control eye pressure and protect your optic nerve from further damage.

Protect Your Eyes

Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or working in environments where injury is possible. Trauma to the eye can trigger secondary glaucoma. Small steps — such as grabbing safety glasses when you do yard work or home repairs — can help protect your eyes in the long run.

Spread the Word

Finally, share what you know. Many people don’t realize glaucoma can creep in without symptoms. By encouraging friends and family to schedule their eye exams, you could help them save their sight.

The bottom line: Taking action today — from scheduling an eye exam to adopting healthy habits — can protect your vision and give you peace of mind for years to come.

Undiagnosed glaucoma creates a serious public health issue because once you lose vision, you cannot recover it. The good news is that early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of permanent damage. Taking steps now — awareness, regular eye exams, healthy habits, and consistent treatment — can make all the difference.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, advancements in research continue to bring us closer to finding one and restoring vision loss. You can help find a cure by donating cash, stock, or a vehicle. Your support will give hope to those living with glaucoma and accelerate our search for a cure and vision restoration. 

The tireless work of researchers continues to enhance our understanding of glaucoma daily. As a result, there’s great hope for new and improved treatments, including innovative drug delivery methods, laser treatments, and less invasive surgical techniques. You can help make that happen!

Last updated and reviewed on October 27, 2025. Reviewed for medical accuracy by Monica Ertel, MD. (Thank you to Ehsan Sadri, MD, FACS for contributing the original article).