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 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 Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
42sec home-news-image

Is it serious if glaucoma causes the pupil to enlarge?

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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home-news-image
Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
57sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases characterized by increased eye pressure, leading to optic nerve atrophy and vision loss. The symptoms of glaucoma are mainly caused by increased eye pressure, resulting in eye pain. In cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms include eye pain along with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and tearing, which can easily be mistaken for neurological diseases. Chronic glaucoma symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting, are less pronounced, and eye discomfort is also more concealed during attacks, making early detection difficult. Therefore, it is important for glaucoma patients to undergo early examination and diagnosis, and to receive appropriate treatment in order to protect the optic nerve and prevent severe vision loss.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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The difference between open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma

Primary angle-closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma caused by the peripheral iris blocking the trabecular meshwork, or permanently adhering to the trabecular meshwork, obstructing the outflow of aqueous humor, leading to increased intraocular pressure. It is characterized by a narrow angle and the anatomical feature of the peripheral iris being prone to contact with the trabecular meshwork. Gonioscopy confirming angle closure is an important diagnostic criterion. The characteristic of open-angle glaucoma, however, is that even though intraocular pressure is elevated, the angle remains open, with the obstruction of aqueous outflow occurring at the trabecular meshwork system.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
1min 22sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of glaucoma

There are many types of glaucoma, and the symptoms vary between different types. Some patients with glaucoma might not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages; others may only experience mild eye soreness and occasional blurred vision, which can improve with rest; some present with insidious vision decline and field defects. Glaucoma refers to a group of progressive optic nerve damage that eventually impairs vision, mainly associated with pathological elevation of intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, and it is the top irreversible blinding eye disease. Common symptoms of glaucoma include blurry vision, vision decline, field defects, and acute attacks, often accompanied by eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and more. If glaucoma symptoms occur, or there is a suspicion of glaucoma, it is advised to visit an ophthalmology clinic for comprehensive examinations like visual acuity, intraocular pressure, fundus examinations, etc., to determine the cause and provide targeted treatment, actively reduce intraocular pressure, and protect the optic nerve.