Early symptoms of glaucoma

Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
Updated on December 08, 2024
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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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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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What should I do if diabetic complications cause blindness from glaucoma?

For neovascular glaucoma caused by diabetes, anti-neovascular drugs can be injected into the vitreous cavity to cause the regression of new blood vessels, thereby achieving the goal of reducing intraocular pressure. If not treated promptly, it can cause permanent closure or adhesion of the angle, and surgery is required for treatment. If the lens swells causing secondary glaucoma, it will lead to the closure of the angle. Surgery is needed to remove the cloudy, swollen lens to achieve a reduction in intraocular pressure. Diabetes is prone to various complications, and it is crucial to pay attention to diet and exercise in the presence of diabetes; meanwhile, it is essential to control medication to maintain blood sugar within the ideal fluctuation range.

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Early symptoms of glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where the intraocular pressure exceeds the tolerance limits of the tissues within the eyeball, especially the optic nerve, causing characteristic optic nerve atrophy and visual field defects. In the early stages of glaucoma, the following symptoms may occur: First, there is eye pain, which may also be accompanied by headaches; Second, transient phenomena of rainbow vision or foggy vision, resembling the appearance of rainbow-like halos around light sources such as light bulbs; Third, there is a family history of glaucoma, especially if suspicious symptoms are present; Fourth, the eyeball becomes harder, and may feel as hard as a stone. Fifth, unexplained decrease in vision or visual field defects. Some glaucomas have atypical early symptoms, but the presence of the above symptoms should be taken seriously and prompt a hospital visit for diagnosis. High-risk groups for glaucoma should undergo annual eye exams to prevent the disease.

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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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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.)