Signs of Glaucoma: How It Manifests in the Early Stage

Glaucoma is a group of diseases in which the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, is damaged. Most often this is associated with increased intraocular pressure, although sometimes the pressure remains normal. The insidious part is that in the early stage a person usually feels nothing.

What glaucoma is and why it is hard to notice

The most common type is open-angle glaucoma, more than 90% of cases. Fluid drains from the eye less well, pressure rises slowly, and the optic nerve is damaged over years. There may be no symptoms at all, and the disease is often found by chance during a routine vision check. Understanding comes late: a person may notice vision loss only when more than half of the optic nerve fibers are irreversibly damaged.

The first signs of glaucoma in the early stage

The classic picture is narrowing of peripheral vision. First, areas at the edges drop out, then the field narrows, and the world looks as if through a tunnel. Direct vision remains clear for a long time, so the person is not worried. Glaucoma usually affects both eyes, but one may be affected more severely. You can suspect something is wrong from such everyday details:

• peripheral (side) vision gradually narrows;
• a feeling arises as if you are looking through a tunnel;
• later, central vision decreases;
• there is usually no pain.

An attack of glaucoma: how it manifests

An acute attack occurs in about one tenth of cases of angle-closure glaucoma. Pressure spikes sharply, the eye becomes hard, severe pain appears in the eye and in half of the head, especially in the back of the head, nausea, sometimes vomiting and general weakness. Vision becomes blurred, and rainbow-colored circles are seen around lights. This condition requires immediate help: delay risks irreversible blindness.

Does the eye and head hurt with glaucoma

With the usual open-angle form there is no pain — that is why it goes unnoticed. Pain, redness, and headache are characteristic specifically of a sharp rise in pressure. Uveitis and eye injury produce similar symptoms, so a diagnosis is not made from sensations alone.

Glaucoma in children: signs

Congenital (childhood) glaucoma is a rare type that affects young children; if there is any suspicion of vision problems in a child, an ophthalmologist should be consulted.

Diagnosis of glaucoma: tonometry and perimetry

The diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist based on a comprehensive examination. Tonometry measures intraocular pressure: the reference point is above 21 mm Hg, although damage is possible even with normal figures. Perimetry checks peripheral vision and shows visual field defects. Examination of the fundus with a dilated pupil allows the condition of the optic nerve to be seen. All adults are recommended to have their vision checked at least once every two years, and more often with a family history of glaucoma, myopia, hyperopia, or diabetes. For any questions about vision, you should book an appointment.

This alone is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if glaucoma symptoms appear suddenly: severe eye pain, redness, fog before the eyes, nausea and vomiting, severe headache.

The material is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: only an ophthalmologist after an examination will say what is happening with your eyes.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer