Glaucoma is an eye condition in which there are no or very few symptoms. As the patients do not feel any symptoms related to the disorder, late diagnosis results in the permanent loss of sight. High pressure inside the eye causes glaucoma. If the condition is not treated, it causes peripheral vision loss first and then gradually leads to complete vision loss. Very few patients experience symptoms such as red eye, blurred eye and headaches. People who have the family history of glaucoma are recommended to test their eyes frequently.
Glaucoma Symptoms
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Symptoms for different forms of glaucoma are as follows:
Open-angle Glaucoma – Glaucoma Symptoms
Most of the patients cannot recognize the symptoms of open-angle glaucoma as they are not very much evident. In this condition, the peripheral vision is affected first and central vision is affected only at a later stage. In the advanced stage, the patients will have a tunnel vision because of the blockage. Most of the times, people believe that age is responsible for the changes in the quality of vision. Hence, it is recommended to perform eye tests for every one or two years. As the age increases, the probability of getting affected with this condition becomes more.
Angle-closure Glaucoma – Glaucoma Symptoms
Angle-closure glaucoma develops very fast. The symptoms of this condition are very severe such as redness of eye, headache, intense pain, halos or rainbow rings around the lights, tenderness of the eye, misty vision, and quick progression in vision loss. The symptoms of this condition do not appear constantly. The symptoms will appear for one or two hours and then disappear again. When the symptoms appear each time, the vision is getting damaged.
Congenital Glaucoma – Glaucoma Symptoms
The symptoms of congenital glaucoma are very difficult to recognize as the condition is experienced by infants or young children. Anyhow, some of the symptoms shown by children with this condition are large eyes, light sensitivity, cloudy appearance of the eyes, watery eyes, squint, and irregular movements of eyes. Consult an ophthalmologist if any of the symptoms are seen in children.
Secondary Glaucoma – Glaucoma Symptoms
Secondary glaucoma is an eye condition caused by other eye problems such as eye injuries and inflammation of the eye. Patients may get confused by the symptoms of secondary glaucoma with the symptoms of other eye conditions. Some of the symptoms of secondary glaucoma are halos or rings around the light and misty vision.
If diagnosed with glaucoma, it is crucial to schedule regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist can monitor the current condition with the help of eye tests and provide the best possible treatment to control the eye pressure.