Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma

Normal-tension glaucoma

Glaucoma in children

Pigmentary glaucoma

When to see a doctor

Symptoms

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve. This damage can lead to vision loss or blindness. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to the brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in the eye. But glaucoma can happen even with typical eye pressure.
Glaucoma can happen at any age but is more common in older adults. It is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages.
It's important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of your eye pressure. If glaucoma is found early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have glaucoma, you'll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of your life.

Usually, fluid called aqueous humor flows freely through the anterior chamber in the eye and exits through the drainage system, known as the trabecular meshwork. If that system is blocked or isn't functioning well, the pressure inside the eye builds. This pressure can damage the optic nerve. With the most common type of glaucoma, this results in gradual vision loss.

The symptoms of glaucoma depend on the type and stage of the condition.

Open-angle glaucoma

• No symptoms in early stages.
• Gradually, patchy blind spots in your side vision. Side vision also is called peripheral vision.
• In later stages, difficulty seeing things in your central vision.

• Bad headache.
• Severe eye pain.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Blurred vision.
• Halos or colored rings around lights.
• Eye redness.

• No symptoms in early stages.
• Gradually, blurred vision.
• In later stages, loss of side vision.

• A dull or cloudy eye (infants).
• Increased blinking (infants).
• Tears without crying (infants).
• Blurred vision.
• Nearsightedness that gets worse.
• Headache.

• Halos around lights.
• Blurred vision with exercise.
• Gradual loss of side vision.

If you have symptoms that come on suddenly, you may have acute angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms include bad headache and severe eye pain. You need treatment as soon as possible. Go to an emergency room or call an eye doctor, called an ophthalmologist, immediately.