Question 1

What is glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye(s) and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It associates with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye

Question 2

Does glaucoma hurt?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 main types of glaucoma, closed-angle (acute) and open-angle (chronic). Acute glaucoma is less common, but can present with sudden eye pain due to an increase in intraocular pressure. Chronic glaucoma commonly does not present with eye pain as the process of the disease is more gradual. Be sure to see your doctor if you are experiencing any eye symptoms or are concerned about glaucoma.

Question 3

Is glaucoma painful?

Accepted Answer

A form of glaucoma called acute angle closure glaucoma can cause an abrupt rise in eye pressure that can be very painful.

Question 4

What causes glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

A few cases of glaucoma occur due to trauma, inherited problems and anatomical underpinnings.  The majority - 'open angle glaucoma'- is largely age related with no known cause.

Question 5

How is glaucoma treated?

Accepted Answer

Observation, medications (topical eye drops, oral medications), laser (in office, in or), or surgery (blebless procedures, filtering surgery, tube implant surgery, etc.).

Question 6

When does glaucoma start?

Accepted Answer

There are many causes of glaucoma and some can even start at birth. If no specific cause has been identified, routine eye exams are recommended with assessments of the pressure inside the eye and the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. Increasing age, family history, and african american race are three identified factors for increased risk of primary open angle glaucoma.

Question 7

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve caused by eye pressures that are too high for the particular eye.  It is diagnosed by the eye doctor seeing the optic nerve having a special appearance, and then a test called a visual field test shows loss of vision in the outer part of the field.  
That is why we all should get eye exams starting at about 40 years of age.

Question 8

Who is at risk for glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

Everyone is potentially at risk for glaucoma.  People with diabetes, who are african american, have had an eye injury, an advanced cataract, or some form of cancer are more at risk and should be screened; multiple risk factors should be screened as early as 20 with a tonometric examination.  Everyone else should undergo routine tonometry as part of a thorough eye examination yearly at age 40.

Question 9

What are the signs of glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

There are 2 main types of glaucoma: acute closed-angle and chronic open-angle. Acute glaucoma usually affects one eye, presenting with sudden eye pain, blurred vision, halos seen around light, nausea and vomiting, and a non-reactive dilated pupil. Chronic glaucoma usually is asymptomatic, but can present with gradual loss of vision and headache. Both have increased intraocular pressures.

Question 10

What exactly is acute glaucoma?

Accepted Answer

The eye has an internal clear fluid circulation 24/7.  This is called the aqueous humor.  The iris in certain shaped eyes (usually farsighted) can obstruct the outflow and within 1/2 hour the pressure can skyrocket to dangerous levels.  This is an emergency, can be stopped with certain drugs and prevented with laser.  See your ophthalmologist immediately if you suspect this condition.

Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

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HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Does glaucoma hurt?

Is glaucoma painful?

What causes glaucoma?

How is glaucoma treated?

When does glaucoma start?

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Who is at risk for glaucoma?

What are the signs of glaucoma?

What exactly is acute glaucoma?

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