Can glaucoma be contagious?

Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Glaucoma is not contagious. It is not an infectious disease; rather, it is a group of diseases characterized by increased eye pressure, leading to optic nerve atrophy and vision decline. The most common cause is genetic factors, meaning if elders or parents in the family have this condition, the incidence of glaucoma in their offspring will also be higher. It is an eye disease caused by anatomical abnormalities of the eye. Additionally, some cases of glaucoma are caused by trauma or other reasons, so glaucoma is not contagious.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
48sec home-news-image

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 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 Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
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Can children have glaucoma?

Children can develop glaucoma. Congenital glaucoma typically presents within the first year of life and is more common in boys. The disease onset before the age of two to three years leads to increased eye pressure, which results in the enlargement of the eyeball. This manifests as photophobia, tearing, and eyelid spasms. Once diagnosed, early surgical treatment is recommended. For children under three years old, the preferred surgical procedures are trabeculectomy or goniotomy. As children are in a developmental stage and have poorer overall tolerance, anti-glaucoma medications are only suitable for short-term bridging treatment.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by characteristic optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects, with pathological elevated intraocular pressure as its main risk factor. The main symptoms of glaucoma include blurry vision and blocked vision. Due to different types, it is also accompanied by other eye symptoms such as eye pain, eye bulging, foggy vision, as well as pain in the nasal root and head, and even nausea and vomiting.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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How to rule out glaucoma with high eye pressure?

Normal intraocular pressure ranges from 10-21mmHg. If it exceeds 21mmHg, it is considered to be increased intraocular pressure. Main symptoms of high intraocular pressure include eye distension, eye pain, tearing, photophobia, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, headache, etc. High intraocular pressure is a primary diagnostic criterion for glaucoma, but it is not the only standard. Glaucoma can be divided into primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, and mixed glaucoma. Primary glaucoma can further be subdivided into open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Only during an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma does the intraocular pressure increase, whereas open-angle glaucoma generally does not affect intraocular pressure. Therefore, the diagnosis of glaucoma mainly relies on a comprehensive assessment of the angle of the anterior chamber, intraocular pressure, visual field, visual acuity, and the condition of the optic disc.