What If Cataracts and Glaucoma Happen at the Same Time?

As we age, our eyes change in ways that can affect how we see the world. Two of the most common age-related eye conditions are glaucoma and cataracts—and yes, they can happen at the same time.

 

While each condition affects the eye differently, having both together isn’t unusual. In fact, many people over 60 experience both, often without realizing it. The good news is, they can be managed—with the right care and attention.

 

If you’re wondering, can you have glaucoma and cataracts at the same time? The answer is yes—and here’s what that might mean for your vision and treatment.

Cataracts form when the clear lens of your eye becomes cloudy. This happens gradually and is most often related to aging. The cloudiness reduces the amount of light that enters your eye, leading to:

• Blurry or foggy vision
• Faded colors
• Sensitivity to glare
• Trouble seeing at night

Cataracts are very common and typically treated with surgery that replaces the clouded lens with a clear artificial one.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for sending visual signals to your brain. This damage is often related to increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), but not always. Symptoms may include:

 

• Loss of peripheral (side) vision
• Eye pressure or discomfort
• Halos around lights
• Tunnel vision (in advanced stages)

Unlike cataracts, vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, so early diagnosis and management are crucial.

Yes—it’s not just possible, it’s relatively common. Since both conditions become more likely with age, it’s not unusual for them to develop together. Sometimes, one condition may even affect the diagnosis or treatment of the other.

 

For example:

• Cataracts can make it harder to examine the optic nerve, making glaucoma more difficult to detect.
• Some medications used to treat glaucoma (like steroids) can increase the risk of developing cataracts.
• Cataracts may worsen angle-closure glaucoma by physically crowding the eye’s drainage system.

When both conditions are present, your eye care team needs to monitor and balance treatment for each condition carefully.

Early on, both cataracts and glaucoma can be subtle. Here’s what to watch for:

 

• Gradual changes in vision clarity
• Glare or halos, especially around lights at night
• Increased difficulty with night driving
• Dull or faded colors
• Loss of side vision (glaucoma-specific)
• A sense of pressure in or around the eye

At a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will check for both conditions using tools such as:

 

• Tonometry – Measures eye pressure
• Visual field testing – Assesses peripheral vision loss
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – Gives detailed images of the optic nerve and retina
• Slit-lamp exam – Helps assess the lens for cloudiness
• Dilated retinal exam – Provides a wider view of internal eye structures

If you’re found to have one condition, your optometrist will usually monitor you closely for the other.

Treating both conditions at the same time is very possible, and there are a few different paths depending on the severity of each.

If your glaucoma is stable and you’re starting to notice cloudy vision, glare, or trouble reading, cataract surgery may be scheduled on its own. In many cases, removing the cataract can actually help lower eye pressure, especially in people with angle-closure glaucoma.

If eye pressure is still too high or your vision is declining, your ophthalmologist might recommend a combined procedure—cataract surgery performed alongside a glaucoma treatment. This could include:

• Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
• Trabeculectomy
• Tube shunt placement

No two eyes are exactly alike, and when glaucoma and cataracts are involved, every detail matters. Your treatment plan will depend on:

 

• The type of glaucoma you have
• How advanced your cataracts are
• How well your eye pressure is controlled
• Your vision needs and lifestyle
• Other health conditions (like diabetes or past eye surgeries)

At Garibaldi Eye Care, we take time to assess your full eye health before recommending any treatment. If necessary, we’ll coordinate with your ophthalmologist to make sure you receive expert care—whether that means monitoring, medication, or surgery.

If you’re over 60, already have glaucoma, or are starting to notice changes in your vision, now is the time to schedule an eye exam.

Don’t ignore symptoms like:

• Cloudy or dim vision
• Frequent prescription changes
• Trouble with night driving
• Blind spots in your side vision
• Pressure or discomfort in the eye

Catching these conditions early makes a huge difference—and in many cases, treatment can prevent further loss of vision.

So, can you have glaucoma and cataracts at the same time? Yes, and it’s more common than you might think. The key is proper monitoring and an individualized treatment approach. With timely care, it’s possible to manage both and protect your sight for years to come.