Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure or a weakened optic nerve.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma, which does not cause any pain or any other symptoms that could indicate increased intraocular pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma, which is the least common type, can cause pain and redness in the eyes.
Therefore, in case of suspicion, you should go to the ophthalmologist to carry out tests and start appropriate treatment for glaucoma and thus prevent loss of vision. Find out which exams you should take.
Main symptoms
This eye disease develops slowly, over months or years, and initially causes no symptoms. However, some symptoms that may appear in the case of angle-closure glaucoma include:
- Decrease in the field of vision, as if it were narrowing;
- Intense pain inside the eye;
- Enlargement of the pupil, which is the black part of the eye, or the size of the eyes;
- Blurred and blurred vision;
- Redness of the eye;
- Difficulty seeing in the dark;
- View of arches around the lights;
- Tearing and excessive sensitivity to light;
- Severe headache, nausea and vomiting.
In some people, the only sign of increased pressure in the eyes is decreased side vision.
When a person presents these symptoms, they should go to the ophthalmologist to start treatment, as, if left untreated, glaucoma can lead to loss of vision.
If a family member has glaucoma, their children and grandchildren should undergo a fundus examination at least once before the age of 20, and again after the age of 40, which is when glaucoma usually begins to manifest itself. Find out what causes can lead to the onset of glaucoma.
Also watch the following video and understand how glaucoma is diagnosed:
What are the symptoms in the baby
Symptoms of congenital glaucoma are present in children born with glaucoma, and are usually whitish eyes, sensitivity to light and enlarged eyes.
Congenital glaucoma can be diagnosed up to 3 years of age, but it can be diagnosed soon after birth, however, it is most common for it to be discovered between 6 months and 1 year of life. Its treatment can be done with eye drops to lower the pressure inside the eye, but the main treatment is surgery.
Glaucoma is a chronic condition and therefore has no cure and the only way to guarantee vision for life is to carry out the treatments recommended by your doctor. Find out more details here.
Online test to find out your risk of glaucoma
This test of just 5 questions serves to indicate your risk of having glaucoma and is based on the risk factors for this disease.
