How to Identify Symptoms of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that is progressive and may eventually lead to blindness if left untreated. The two most common types are angle-closure and (especially) open-angle glaucoma. Both are prevalent in men and women over 40 years of age. Imbalances of fluid and the resulting build-up cause pressure within the eye, especially against the optic nerve, as well as the blood vessels. Individuals must learn how to identify symptoms of glaucoma to prevent complications and irreversible damage.

Instructions

• 1

  Pay attention to sudden or severe eye pain that causes a throbbing sensation in one or both eyes. Often, such pain may be experienced in darkened rooms or at night. Stress may also prompt symptoms that many individuals mistake as signs of a tension headache.

• 2

  Watch for any signs of blurred vision or a decrease in sight over time. Sometimes, individuals may experience what is termed a "halo effect" around certain objects, especially lights.

• 3

  Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of vision problems, especially those associated with both types of glaucoma.

• 4

  Be alert to symptoms that come and go but are chronic in nature. In many scenarios, individuals suffering from open-angle glaucoma may not experience many symptoms at all, but later stages of the condition prompt poor night vision, blind spots, blurred vision or loss of peripheral vision.