Told you are a glaucoma suspect? Dr Shibal Bhartiya, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist in Gurgaon, explains what this means, what tests to expect, and how to protect your vision.
Being labelled a glaucoma suspect does not mean you have glaucoma. It means your doctor is being careful, and that is a good thing.
Are you a glaucoma suspect?
A glaucoma suspect is someone who has a risk of developing glaucoma. This includes higher pressure in the eye, evidence of optic nerve damage or vision loss.
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Usually, this damage is due to high pressure in the eye. However, damage to the nerve can also occur with normal and low eye pressures. Glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss, and usually has no early symptoms.
This is why your doctor will note your risk of glaucoma. This means they can investigate further to ensure you don’t have glaucoma at present, and also monitor you in the future.
Dr Shibal Bhartiya uses a structured monitoring protocol for glaucoma suspects, combining OCT, visual fields, and diurnal IOP assessment, to detect the earliest signs of conversion before any vision is lost
What does glaucoma suspect mean?
If your eye doctor has told you that you are a glaucoma suspect, they probably saw one or more of the following risk factors during your eye exam:
- High eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP)
- Abnormal appearance of the optic nerve (which connects eye to brain)
- Abnormalities of the retinal nerve fiber layer
- Defect in visual field
- Abnormal drainage angle of the eye, or shallow anterior chamber
What are the risk factors for glaucoma?
These factors can increase your risk of developing glaucoma:
- Age – Glaucoma can affect any age group, but people over age 60 are at increased risk for the disease.
- Family history – Having blood relative with glaucoma increases your risk of developing glaucoma.
- Race – South Asians, including Indians, have a higher risk of angle closure glaucoma due to anatomically shallower anterior chambers. This means the drainage angle of the eye is narrower, and can close suddenly or gradually, raising eye pressure. Indians also tend to present at a younger age and at more advanced stages of disease. Regular screening is especially important if you have a family history or notice any symptoms such as eye pain, headache, or blurred vision.
- Certain metabolic diseases – Diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine, and thyroid disease have been found to increase the risk of developing glaucoma.
- Eye injury – Trauma to the eye can result in a sudden increase in eye pressure. It can also increase the chances of developing glaucoma in the future.
- Eye diseases– Certain eye diseases like eye inflammation (uveitis), high myopia and tumours of the eye may increase the risk of glaucoma.
- Corticosteroid use. Extended use of steroids can increase the eye pressure, and thus, the risk of glaucoma.
- Central corneal thickness: People with thin corneas are more vulnerable to developing glaucoma.
- Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing glaucoma, and also increases the rate of progression.
Do glaucoma suspects always develop glaucoma?
No. Only some, and not all, glaucoma suspects develop glaucoma. Your eye doctor monitor you for any signs of early disease, and ensure your eyes remain healthy.
Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, and often preventable. Therefore, if you are a glaucoma suspect, make sure you follow your eye doctor’s instructions. She will look for signs of glaucoma during each eye exam so as to diagnose the disease early and prevent vision loss.
What are the tests for glaucoma suspects? And often will I be tested?
If you have a low risk for developing glaucoma, your doctor will see you every six to 12 months. In case your risk is higher, she may want to see you more frequently.
At each follow-up visit, your doctor will review:
- Eye pressure (including diurnal variation, or water drinking test)
- Vision
- Retinal nerve fibre layer and optic nerve (on slit lamp, and also with special tests, to check for progression of disease)
- Visual fields (to check for deterioration)
- Central corneal thickness (usually not performed after one check)
- Drainage angle of the eye (usually requires gonioscopy)
If at some point your doctor thinks you require treatment, she will discuss all your options. She will consider many factors, including your preference, when beginning treatment. Initial treatment usually is with eye drops or laser surgery to lower the eye pressure. This decreases the risk of vision loss. Surgery is usually limited to advanced cases.
Dr Shibal Bhartiya monitors glaucoma suspects using a structured, evidence-based protocol at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Sector 56, Gurugram.
How do I decrease my risk of glaucoma?
Here is what you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss and maintain your eye health:
- Remember your routine comprehensive eye exams. Do not miss your follow-up appointments.
- Eat nutritious whole foods, including green leafy vegetables and colored fruits and vegetables.
- Establish a regular exercise routine. If you are a glaucoma suspect, discuss your exercise routine with your eye doctor.
- Maintain your optimal body weight. Control your blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Stop smoking.
- If you have been prescribed steroids, inform your doctor you are a glaucoma suspect. Also, schedule a visit with your glaucoma doctor to make sure the steroids have not increased your eye pressure.
- Wear protective eyewear to prevent eye injuries.
- Listen to your doctor. If you are a glaucoma suspect, the best way to decrease your risk of vision loss from glaucoma is to listen to what your eye doctor says. Discuss your risk, and follow their recommendations on routine follow-up care.
Glaucoma Suspect Monitoring in Gurgaon
If you have been told you are a glaucoma suspect, structured follow-up is the most important thing you can do for your vision. Dr Shibal Bhartiya monitors glaucoma suspects at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Sector 56, Gurugram, using OCT, visual fields, and regular IOP assessment to detect the earliest signs of change. Consultations are available in person and remotely for patients across India. Book an appointment or upload your reports for a second opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a glaucoma suspect?
A glaucoma suspect is a person with one or more risk factors, such as high eye pressure, an unusual optic nerve, or a family history of glaucoma, but no confirmed diagnosis yet. Regular monitoring is essential.
Does being a glaucoma suspect mean I will lose my vision?
No. Most glaucoma suspects do not develop glaucoma. With regular monitoring and early intervention where needed, vision loss is largely preventable.
What tests does a glaucoma suspect need?
Eye pressure measurement, OCT of the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibre layer, visual field testing, and gonioscopy. Your doctor will tailor the schedule to your risk level.
How often should a glaucoma suspect see their eye doctor?
Every six to twelve months for lower-risk individuals. Every three to four months if your risk is elevated, due to high IOP, suspicious optic nerve, or thin corneas.
Can steroids raise eye pressure in a glaucoma suspect?
Yes. Any steroid, eye drops, nasal sprays, skin creams, or oral tablets, can raise IOP. Always inform your prescribing doctor and schedule a check with your glaucoma specialist.
Is high eye pressure the same as glaucoma?
No. High IOP is a risk factor, not a diagnosis. Many people with elevated pressure never develop glaucoma. Your full risk profile determines whether treatment is needed.
Can lifestyle changes reduce my glaucoma risk?
Yes. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar all reduce risk. Some exercises, including yoga, affect IOP, discuss yours with your specialist.
Should I get a second opinion if I am a glaucoma suspect?
A second opinion is reasonable if you are uncertain about your diagnosis, your monitoring plan, or whether treatment has been recommended. Dr Shibal Bhartiya offers structured glaucoma second opinions for patients across India and internationally.
Read the research articles
This article was written by Dr Shibal Bhartiya, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Mayo Clinic Research Collaborator, Clinical Director at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, known for ethical, patient-centred glaucoma care and independent glaucoma second opinions. This article was edited in April 2026.
She has published peer-reviewed research on glaucoma management, examining how treatment decisions should balance medical evidence, patient preferences, and long-term vision outcomes.
As Editor-in-Chief of Clinical and Experimental Vision and Eye Research and Executive Editor of the Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice (Pubmed Indexed, official journal of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery), Dr Shibal Bhartiya brings editorial and research depth to every clinical decision. Her 200+ publications, including 90+ PubMed-indexed publications and 28 edited textbooks span glaucoma biology, surgical outcomes, health equity, and emerging diagnostics.
Her work can be accessed on Pubmed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and ORCID.
Dr Shibal Bhartiya
Glaucoma • Second Opinion • Advanced Care
www.drshibalbhartiya.com
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