Question
An elderly member of my family is experiencing worsening vision, and recently noticed black spots in their field of vision. We are concerned it might be glaucoma. Can glaucoma be detected in the early stages of the disease?
Answer
Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by optic nerve damage, with increased intraocular pressure being one of the main risk factors. Many types of glaucoma have no significant symptoms in the early stages, making early diagnosis challenging. However, by making an informed guess based on symptoms and through specialized examinations, the likelihood of early detection can be improved.