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 Signs and symptoms vary according to the type of glaucoma. In the early stages of glaucoma, there are often no symptoms, pain, or change in vision. As the eye disease progresses, a person begins to lose peripheral (side) vision and eventually loses vision completely if left untreated. Acute glaucoma develops suddenly as a result of sudden rise of intraocular pressure due to blockage of fluid drainage from the eye. This requires immediate medical attention in order to prevent permanent vision loss, which can occur within hours or days after the onset.
Symptoms and signs of acute glaucoma include:
- Sudden blurred vision with pain and redness in the eye
- Appearance of colored rings ( halos) around lights
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
Diagnosis of Glaucoma
The following tests are frequently used to diagnose glaucoma:
- Dilated eye exam - An instrument called an ophthalmoscope is used to look through the pupil and check for changes in the optic nerve.
- Measurement of intraocular pressure - An instrument called a tonometer is used to measure eye pressure.
- Visual field test - A computerized eye test is used to measure your field of vision.
- Nerve fiber analyzer - An instrument which directly or indirectly measures the extent of nerve fiber damages in the retina around the optic discs.
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