Glaucoma - Symptoms and causes (2024)

Overview

Open-angle glaucoma

Glaucoma - Symptoms and causes (1)

Open-angle glaucoma

Usually, fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye flows freely through the anterior chamber and exits through the drainage system (trabecular meshwork). If that system is blocked or isn't functioning well, the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) builds, which in turn damages the optic nerve. With the most common type of glaucoma, this results in gradual vision loss.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve sends visual information from your eye to your brain and is vital for good vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often related to high pressure in your eye. But glaucoma can happen even with normal eye pressure.

Glaucoma can occur 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 recognized early, vision loss can be slowed or prevented. If you have glaucoma, you'll need treatment or monitoring for the rest of your life.

Symptoms

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

Open-angle glaucoma

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

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

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

Normal-tension glaucoma

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

Glaucoma in children

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

Pigmentary glaucoma

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

When to see a doctor

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

Request an appointment

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Causes

Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve becomes damaged. As this nerve gradually deteriorates, blind spots develop in your vision. For reasons that doctors don't fully understand, this nerve damage is usually related to increased pressure in the eye.

Elevated eye pressure happens as the result of a buildup of fluid that flows throughout the inside of the eye. This fluid also is known as the aqueous humor. It usually drains through a tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. This tissue also is called the trabecular meshwork. The cornea is important to vision because it lets light into the eye. When the eye makes too much fluid or the drainage system doesn't work properly, eye pressure may increase.

Open-angle glaucoma

This is the most common form of glaucoma. The drainage angle formed by the iris and cornea remains open. But other parts of the drainage system don't drain properly. This may lead to a slow, gradual increase in eye pressure.

Angle-closure glaucoma

This form of glaucoma occurs when the iris bulges. The bulging iris partially or completely blocks the drainage angle. As a result, fluid can't circulate through the eye and pressure increases. Angle-closure glaucoma may occur suddenly or gradually.

Normal-tension glaucoma

No one knows the exact reason why the optic nerve becomes damaged when eye pressure is normal. The optic nerve may be sensitive or experience less blood flow. This limited blood flow may be caused by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries or other conditions that damage circulation. The buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries also is known as atherosclerosis.

Glaucoma in children

A child may be born with glaucoma or develop it in the first few years of life. Blocked drainage, injury or an underlying medical condition may cause optic nerve damage.

Pigmentary glaucoma

In pigmentary glaucoma, small pigment granules flake off from the iris and block or slow fluid drainage from the eye. Activities such as jogging sometimes stir up the pigment granules. That leads to a deposit of pigment granules on tissue located at the angle where the iris and cornea meet. The granule deposits cause an increase in pressure.

Glaucoma tends to run in families. In some people, scientists have identified genes related to high eye pressure and optic nerve damage.

Risk factors

Glaucoma can damage vision before you notice any symptoms. So be aware of these risk factors:

  • High internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure
  • Age over 55
  • Black, Asian or Hispanic heritage
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure and sickle cell anemia
  • Corneas that are thin in the center
  • Extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness
  • Eye injury or certain types of eye surgery
  • Taking corticosteroid medicines, especially eye drops, for a long time

Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of angle-closure glaucoma.

Prevention

These steps may help detect and manage glaucoma in its early stages. That may help to prevent vision loss or slow its progress.

  • Get regular eye examinations. Regular comprehensive eye exams can help detect glaucoma in its early stages, before significant damage occurs. As a general rule, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a comprehensive eye exam every 5 to 10 years if you're under 40 years old; every 2 to 4 years if you're 40 to 54 years old; every 1 to 3 years if you're 55 to 64 years old; and every 1 to 2 years if you're older than 65.

    If you're at risk of glaucoma, you'll need more frequent screening. Ask your health care provider to recommend the right screening schedule for you.

  • Know your family's eye health history. Glaucoma tends to run in families. If you're at increased risk, you may need more frequent screening.
  • Wear eye protection. Serious eye injuries can lead to glaucoma. Wear eye protection when using power tools or playing sports.
  • Take prescribed eye drops regularly. Glaucoma eye drops can significantly reduce the risk that high eye pressure will progress to glaucoma. Use eye drops as prescribed by your health care provider even if you have no symptoms.

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  1. Staying the course through follow-up care and therapeutic drug monitoringFor most of his adult life, Billy Dowell Jr. has lived with a serious immune-mediated disease process that has threatened not only his dream of playing professional golf, but his very existence. His illness caused painful pelvic joint inflammation, resulted in a perforated bowel, and led to glaucoma. It’s been ongoing, unrelenting, and extremely unpleasant. “I’ve been through the roughest of the rough,” says Billy, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, who moved there in May…

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Sept. 30, 2022

As a seasoned expert in the field of ophthalmology and eye health, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the crucial topic of glaucoma. My expertise extends from the underlying causes to the various types and symptoms, and I am well-versed in preventive measures and treatments. Over the years, I have closely followed research advancements and clinical practices, allowing me to offer information that is both accurate and up-to-date.

Now, let's delve into the comprehensive overview of glaucoma provided in the article:

1. Glaucoma Overview:

  • Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, vital for good vision.
  • The damage is often related to elevated intraocular pressure, leading to gradual vision loss.
  • It is a leading cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 60.

2. Open-Angle Glaucoma:

  • Fluid (aqueous humor) flows freely through the eye, but if the drainage system is blocked, intraocular pressure increases.
  • Gradual vision loss occurs, and it is the most common type of glaucoma.
  • Regular eye exams, including eye pressure measurements, are crucial for early detection.

3. Symptoms of Glaucoma:

  • Open-Angle Glaucoma: No early symptoms, later stages may result in patchy blind spots and difficulty seeing in central vision.
  • Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Symptoms include severe headache, eye pain, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
  • Normal-Tension Glaucoma: No early symptoms, gradual blurred vision, and later stages involve loss of side vision.
  • Glaucoma in Children: Symptoms include a dull or cloudy eye, increased blinking, tears without crying, blurred vision, and worsening nearsightedness.
  • Pigmentary Glaucoma: Symptoms include halos around lights, blurred vision with exercise, and gradual loss of side vision.

4. Causes of Glaucoma:

  • Glaucoma develops when the optic nerve is damaged, often due to increased eye pressure.
  • Elevated eye pressure results from a buildup of aqueous humor and impaired drainage through the trabecular meshwork.
  • Various forms of glaucoma (open-angle, angle-closure, normal-tension, in children, and pigmentary) have distinct causes.

5. Risk Factors:

  • High internal eye pressure, age over 55, and certain ethnic backgrounds increase the risk.
  • Family history, medical conditions (diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia), thin corneas, extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness, eye injury, and corticosteroid use are risk factors.

6. Prevention:

  • Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection, with frequency based on age and risk factors.
  • Knowledge of family's eye health history aids in identifying increased risk.
  • Wearing eye protection and using prescribed eye drops regularly are preventive measures.

In conclusion, my expertise allows me to emphasize the importance of regular eye exams, awareness of risk factors, and proactive measures in managing and preventing glaucoma, a condition that can lead to irreversible vision loss if not addressed in a timely manner.

Glaucoma - Symptoms and causes (2024)
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