Is it serious if glaucoma causes the pupil to enlarge?

Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Glaucoma is divided into many types, but the most common are primary angle-closure glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma. In these patients, if the pupil dilates or enlarges, the angle of the chamber becomes narrower, leading to increased intraocular pressure, which we refer to as an acute attack of glaucoma. After an attack, patients may experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, it is crucial for glaucoma patients to minimize the time spent in dark rooms to prevent pupil dilation and avoid triggering an acute attack of glaucoma.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Is high intraocular pressure always glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by typical optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects, with high intraocular pressure and visual field loss as features. Clinically, some patients have long-term high intraocular pressure but do not exhibit optic nerve and visual field damage. This condition is not called glaucoma, but is referred to as ocular hypertension. Meanwhile, some patients may have normal eye pressure but still exhibit typical glaucoma optic nerve damage and visual field defects; this condition is called normal-tension glaucoma. Therefore, high intraocular pressure does not necessarily indicate glaucoma, and normal intraocular pressure can also potentially be glaucoma.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the main blinding eye diseases in ophthalmology, with a certain genetic predisposition, affecting 10 to 15 percent of direct relatives of patients. Intraocular pressure is the pressure exerted by the contents within the eyeball against its inner wall. Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by distinctive optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects, and pathologically increased intraocular pressure is one of the main risk factors for glaucoma. The level of increased intraocular pressure and the tolerance of the optic nerve to pressure damage are primarily related to the occurrence and progression of glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is vitreous opacity a precursor to glaucoma?

Vitreous opacities are not a precursor to glaucoma. Vitreous opacities can be divided into physiological and pathological types. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision, and one may see variously shaped black shadows in front of the eyes. Pathological vitreous opacities can impact vision and should be further examined by an ophthalmologist. The precursors of glaucoma include eye pressure, eye pain, photophobia, tearing, relief after rest, and a decrease in vision, along with halos seen around lights. If these symptoms occur, active treatment should be sought. Glaucoma can be classified into primary, secondary, congenital, and mixed types.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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What to do with high eye pressure glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by typical optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects. Its main features are high intraocular pressure and visual field damage. The treatment of glaucoma primarily focuses on controlling intraocular pressure, delaying damage to the optic nerve, and preserving remaining vision. Lowering intraocular pressure is essential for treating glaucoma, so it can be treated locally with medications that reduce intraocular pressure. If medications cannot control the pressure, surgery may be necessary to manage it. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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What happens if glaucoma worsens?

Glaucoma, if left untreated or improperly treated leading to worsening, can result in blindness, which is referred to as absolute glaucoma. In such cases, it becomes impossible to recover vision; in other words, it is irreversible. Therefore, it is crucial to proactively treat glaucoma after its onset by reducing eye pressure to protect vision, adjusting one's mindset, resting adequately, and avoiding close-range activities. The treatment is generally quite successful nowadays. Glaucoma can be classified into acute angle-closure glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma, both of which are types of primary glaucoma. Additionally, it can be categorized into primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and mixed glaucoma. With active treatment, the outcomes for glaucoma are generally good.