What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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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 Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
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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.

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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.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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What are the symptoms of glaucoma precursor?

The prodromal phase of glaucoma is characterized by transient or recurrent attacks, often occurring multiple times, typically in the evenings. During an attack, patients suddenly experience blurred vision and halos around lights, possibly accompanied by pain in the forehead on the affected side or a sour swelling at the root of the nose on the same side. These symptoms are short-lived and can resolve or disappear after rest. If examined immediately, increased intraocular pressure can be detected, often above 40 mmHg, with slight conjunctival congestion or no congestion. There is mild foggy edema in the corneal epithelium. The anterior chamber is extremely shallow, but the aqueous humor is clear, with a wide closure of the chamber angle, slightly dilated pupils, and sluggish light reflexes. After a minor attack subsides, aside from the characteristic shallow anterior chamber, there generally is no permanent tissue damage.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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Can glaucoma be contagious?

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 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.