How to rule out glaucoma with high eye pressure?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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.

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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 Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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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 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 Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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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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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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Does glaucoma require surgery?

There are many types of glaucoma, such as primary angle-closure glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma. Once glaucoma is definitively diagnosed, medication can be used first to control intraocular pressure. If medications cannot control the pressure, surgery may be considered. However, generally, if it is early stage, and there is no damage to vision or visual field, with not very high intraocular pressure, medication can be considered first. If the intraocular pressure remains very high, medication fails to stabilize it, and there is a decline in vision or damage to the visual field, then surgery is needed.