Which are the symptoms of Glaucoma?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Glaucoma here

Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and blindness if left untreated. It is often referred to as the "silent thief of sight" because it typically progresses slowly and without noticeable symptoms until the later stages. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of glaucoma.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. It develops gradually and is often asymptomatic until significant vision loss occurs. Some of the symptoms associated with open-angle glaucoma include:

Gradual loss of peripheral vision: The most common symptom of open-angle glaucoma is the gradual loss of side or peripheral vision. This often goes unnoticed until it becomes more severe.

Tunnel vision: As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows, leading to tunnel vision. This can significantly impact daily activities and mobility.

Difficulty adjusting to low light: People with glaucoma may experience difficulty seeing in dimly lit environments or at night.

Blurred vision: In some cases, individuals with glaucoma may experience blurred vision or a general decrease in visual clarity.

Halos around lights: Glaucoma can cause the perception of halos or rainbow-colored rings around lights, especially at night.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is less common but considered a medical emergency as it can cause sudden and severe symptoms. This type of glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, leading to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma may include:

Severe eye pain: Angle-closure glaucoma often presents with intense eye pain that may radiate to the head or face.

Headaches: Individuals may experience severe headaches, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Blurred or hazy vision: Vision may become blurred or hazy, and there may be a sudden decrease in visual acuity.

Redness and swelling: The affected eye may appear red, swollen, and teary.

Seeing halos: Similar to open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma can cause the perception of halos around lights.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma, also known as low-tension or normal-pressure glaucoma, is a type of open-angle glaucoma where optic nerve damage occurs despite normal intraocular pressure. Symptoms of normal-tension glaucoma are similar to those of open-angle glaucoma and may include:

Gradual loss of peripheral vision: The most common symptom is the gradual loss of side or peripheral vision.

Tunnel vision: As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows, leading to tunnel vision.

Difficulty adjusting to low light: People with normal-tension glaucoma may have difficulty seeing in dimly lit environments or at night.

Blurred vision: Some individuals may experience blurred vision or a general decrease in visual clarity.

Halos around lights: Perception of halos or rainbow-colored rings around lights, especially at night, can occur.

Congenital Glaucoma

Congenital glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma that is present at birth or develops during early childhood. Symptoms of congenital glaucoma may include:

Cloudy or hazy cornea: The clear front surface of the eye (cornea) may appear cloudy or hazy.

Excessive tearing: Infants with congenital glaucoma may have excessive tearing without any apparent reason.

Extreme sensitivity to light: Bright lights may cause discomfort or pain in the affected eye.

Enlarged eye or bulging appearance: The affected eye may appear larger or have a bulging appearance.

Redness of the eye: The eye may appear red or bloodshot.

If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns about your eye health, it is important to consult an eye care professional for a comprehensive examination. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma can help preserve your vision and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.

Diseasemaps

There are typically no early warning signs or symptoms of open-angle glaucoma. It develops slowly and sometimes without noticeable sight loss for many years.

Most people who have open-angle glaucoma feel fine and do not notice a change in their vision at first because the initial loss of vision is of side or peripheral vision, and the visual acuity or sharpness of vision is maintained until late in the disease.

By the time a patient is aware of vision loss, the disease is usually quite advanced. Vision loss from glaucoma is not reversible with treatment, even with surgery.

Because open-angle glaucoma has few warning signs or symptoms before damage has occurred, it is important to see a doctor for regular eye examinations. If glaucoma is detected during an eye exam, your eye doctor can prescribe a preventative treatment to help protect your vision.

In open-angle glaucoma, the angle in your eye where the iris meets the cornea is as wide and open as it should be, but the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time, causing an increase in internal eye pressure and subsequent damage to the optic nerve. It is the most common type of glaucoma, affecting about four million Americans, many of whom do not know they have the disease.

You are at increased risk of glaucoma if your parents or siblings have the disease, if you are African-American or Latino, and possibly if you are diabetic or have cardiovascular disease. The risk of glaucoma also increases with age.

Posted Feb 22, 2017 by Akhtar ali 1120

The worst thing about living with glaucoma is that unless treated it will eventually blind you but if treated it can be stabilised (not reversed). Glaucoma is normally diagnosed with having long term high eye pressure. A patient living with glaucoma will normally present with bad peripheral vision best described as tunnel vision.

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by Ken Millar 220