Glaucoma Symptoms

glaucoma-symptoms

An unfortunate fact about glaucoma is that it often does not present symptoms or warning signs until reaching its latter, advanced stages. Through regular eye exams, performed once every two years or more often for those at risk, glaucoma can often be detected in its earliest stages. Such exams can help prevent damage to one's vision. In general, the following symptoms have been observed in association with the different forms of glaucoma:

General Symptoms and Warning Signs of Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes a rapid buildup of intraocular pressure, which may lead to any of the following:

  • Cloudy or haloed vision
  • Nausea or headaches
  • Light sensitivity (photophobia)
  • Excessive blinking (blepharospasm)
  • Crossed or out-turned eyes (strabismus)
  • One eye becoming larger than the other
  • Excessive tearing (epiphora)
  • Decreased vision (amblyopia)

Learn more about the specific types of glaucoma and the signs and symptoms these conditions produce by reading the sections below.

Open-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms

The most common form of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma does not present signs and symptoms at first. Eventually, however, the patient will begin to lose his or her peripheral vision. Because this damage is irreversible, it is extremely important to detect the condition early on through a glaucoma test. If left untreated, open-angle glaucoma will lead to a total loss of vision. Open-angle glaucoma generally affects both eyes; it begins by damaging the nerve fibers that are necessary for peripheral vision. People with advanced open-angle glaucoma can have 20/20 vision when looking straight ahead but may have blind spots (scotomas) for images located outside the center of the visual field. Eventually, the fibers needed for central vision may be lost as well, causing total blindness.

Closed-Angle Glaucoma Symptoms

Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the iris blocks intraocular fluid from draining properly. Closed-angle glaucoma may progress gradually without manifesting any symptoms until long after it has set in. Unlike the open-angle form, closed-angle glaucoma sometimes also occurs as acute attacks, as IOP rises rapidly to a dangerous level. A specific form of closed-angle glaucoma called acute glaucoma progresses rapidly, and produces symptoms of severe eye pain, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and halos. If not treated within hours, acute closed-angle glaucoma can result in permanent vision loss.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma Symptoms

Normal-tension glaucoma, also known as low-tension glaucoma, is a unique condition in which optic nerve damage and vision loss occurs despite normal intraocular pressure (IOP). Normal-tension glaucoma may result in the loss of peripheral vision. The condition is more common in women than in men and affects adults averaging 60 years old. A common risk factor for normal-tension glaucoma is low blood pressure.

Congenital Glaucoma Symptoms

An infant or young child who has congenital glaucoma may exhibit cloudy corneas, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and eyelid spasm. Congenital glaucoma can be difficult to recognize because children often have trouble discerning the signs and symptoms. Consult a pediatric optician if you notice a cloudy, white, hazy, enlarged, or protruding eye. Congenital glaucoma is more common in boys than girls. A pediatric optician can help you diagnose congenital glaucoma symptoms and arrange treatment.

Find a Glaucoma Specialist Near You

Although there is no cure for glaucoma, there are available treatments that can dramatically slow or temporarily halt the degeneration. Glaucoma can be treated through either medication or surgery; either treatment is intended to lower intraocular eye pressure. Medications are considered to be the first line in glaucoma treatment. If medication fails, glaucoma surgery will be considered. If you exhibit glaucoma signs and symptoms, DocShop can locate a skilled eye care specialist in your area that can diagnose and treat your condition.

Share |

Keyword Tags: glaucoma, cataracts

Still Have a Question? Ask a Specialist in Your Area

Comments

1

To whom it may concern: I´m a 56 year european, with no family glaucoma antecedents. I went for a regular check up and the ophtalmologist noticed that the optic nerve had increased . He suggested to go to a glaucoma specialist and did the following tests:Ophthalmoscopy,Visual Field Testing,Pachymetry,Tonometry.All of them discard glaucoma but my sepcialist is concerned because the lacrimal channel is narrow . My pressure is 10, but she wants to do a iridectomy....is this procedure recommended in my case? She told me that even though the tests discard glaucoma, the narrow angle is like having a ticket for the lotto: you can win it or not !!! I´m scared...Lately i´ve had some moderate headaches, do to stress, work , my mother´s health, I´m her caregiver and have no one to give me a hand. I look forward for a sound advice. Warm regards.

Fiammi
over 1 year ago

2

hace un año enpece a ver lucecitas del hojo derecho, luego empeze a ver doble, en un lugar me dicen es paralisis ocular otros glaucoma, me dieron medicina vitamina y gotas pero cada dia estoy peor, veo doble del ojo derecho y pierdo el equilibrio pero no me duele la cabeza no tengo naucea solo veo doble que sera y que puedo hacer tengo 46 años sin referencias de glaucoma en la familia ayudenme por favor se los voy a agradecer siempre

maria
over 1 year ago

3

Hi,

im 33 and 20 wks pregnant. before pregnancy i suffered headaches on occassion (likely to be migraines as my mother suffers them) but ive never had them diagnosed and usually sleep and paracetamol does the trick. ive had severe headches now im pregnant since month 2, ive even had to take 4 days off at a time. my blood pressure is fine, baby all healthy, drinking plenty of water etc. i went to optician who checked pressures, 27 and 22, checked again later in the day 22 and 20. they wrote me a referral letter and i went to my gp, trying to get to see a specialist. my father 66 suffers frm glaucoma and takes drops (moorfields) and i also had a detached eye retina surgery at st marys abt 15 yrs ago. i am -10 in left eye. My question is the headaches glaucoma related or pregnancy????

pshah
over 1 year ago

4

my son has glucoma and dont no anything
about it

melissa wilson
over 1 year ago

5

i have had blurry vision and red eyes for over a month now. All tests prove positive. what could be the cause

millicent
almost 2 years ago

6

I'm an eye doctor and this is my take on your comments:

Elizabeth, your eye pressure is considered to be "normal", as "normal" is said to range from between 15 and 21.

Trenton, if you had glaucoma for the duration you have been having these symptoms, you would also have noticed loss in vision as the longer you have glaucoma, the more damage is done to the eye which causes the cells in the back of your eye to die, which results in loss of vision. The fact you're so young as well means its highly unlikely you have glaucoma, the average age for glaucoma to occur is 35+ yrs. But your family history of glaucoma suggests you're at high risk of getting it when you're older.

Carolyn, I would definitely get this checked out as there are a number of reasons as to why you could be getting a headache of recent onset. It doesn't sound like glaucoma as you would have other symptoms, but visit your Opticians as soon as possible.

Meeya
about 2 years ago

7

I have had a headache for 5 days , sometimes my eye hurts also and the top of my head feels senitive , I am a diabetic and get checked every year for changes in the eye , I did start on new medication for diabetic nerve pain called Amitriptyline10 mg tablets and was wondering if it had anything to do with the headache so I stopped taking them on Sunday, but still having the headache I would be gratefull if you could advice me on this

carolyn morris
over 2 years ago

8

thumbs up !!! Would like to know if any foods can lessen any development that has just started ????

NINA
over 2 years ago

9

@elizabeth ur iop is high. you must consult to an opthalmologist right away.whatever damaged is permanent. normal iop is below 10. m a glaucoma patient too. juvenile glaucoma accordng to my doctor.

caye
over 2 years ago

10

Hey I'm 17 years old and I'm sure that I have glaucoma because for a couple years now I've been having eye pain at random times , like I would get 1 red eye that becomes painful also I would get blurry vision and sometimes a headache ... I went to the hospital and saw a eye doctor n told him what was going on n he said to me it could just be a migraine headache n I'm sure it's not because I hardly get the headaches when my vision goes blurry , Kk so I asked my african grandma about it and she told me that r family has weak eyes n that her 2 sisters r blind today from glaucoma n that she has it! ....I have an appointment to see a doctor that's going to look at the back of my eye to check my Nervs r whatever , the thing is that's not until 2 months n my eyes r blurry as I'm sending you this message right now soooo pls email me back n let me know what I gotta do !!!

Trenton
over 2 years ago

11

I have been dected to have glaucoma and my eye pressure is 19. how dangerous is this

elizabeth nyantekyi
over 2 years ago







Search

Find a doctor near you