The Symptoms Of Glaucoma

If you already have glaucoma, then you know the symptoms.  If not, then this article will make you aware of what to look for. It will also show you how to prevent glaucoma from occurring at all.

Open-angle Glaucoma

There are many types of glaucoma, but the two most common types are open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.  Ninety percent of the people who are diagnosed with glaucoma have the open-angle type.

Some of the symptoms of this type are tiny blind spots that appear in our side or peripheral vision that get larger. You start with a little blind spot and end up with no peripheral vision.

Blurred vision is another symptom. The elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye causes the visual changes that accompany blurred vision.

The appearance of colored halos around lights is slight and confusing at first. As it grows, the halos become more pronounced and you can’t ignore it anymore, or pass it off as tired eyes. Some people think the day is just hazy and that’s why they see the halos.

When we enter a dark room, it takes a few seconds for our eyes to adjust. A person with glaucoma has trouble adjusting to the change from light to dark and may not be able to see at all in a dark room. None of us see as well in the dark as we do in daylight but we should be able to make out objects after a few seconds.

Some people chalk it up to needing new glasses. No matter how many times they change their prescriptions, their eye problems persist. Although they shouldn’t have to keep changing their eyeglasses because routine eye exams should include a check for glaucoma.

Closed-angle Glaucoma

Closed-angle glaucoma is more serious.  It accounts for only about nine percent of the people with glaucoma.  It occurs when the opening between the cornea and iris narrows and the fluid cannot get to the normal drainage channels.  It results in fluid build-up and intraocular pressure and it happens very quickly.

Some of the symptoms are severely blurred vision. This occurs because the fluid builds up so fast.

It can also be accompanied by severe eye and head pain because of the intense pressure of the fluid build-up.

Nausea and vomiting is another symptom of closed-angle glaucoma.  Any type of severe pain can make us nauseous. Vomiting is frequently a side effect of severe pain.

The rainbow colored halos around bright lights appear with both types of glaucoma. The difference is that with closed-angle glaucoma, you don’t mistake it for haze or tired eyes. Your vision is too poor by that time.

Closed-angle glaucoma is also accompanied by rapid loss of vision. The fast fluid build-up is responsible for that.

Fortunately, closed-angle glaucoma is uncommon, but when it occurs, it is a true medical emergency.  Open-angle glaucoma sneaks up on us because it has no early warning signs or symptoms.  That’s why it’s so important to have regular eye checkups and take good care of our health.

Prevent Glaucoma With Healthy Habits

Good exercise and nutrition habits have as much effect on our eye health as they do on the rest of our body’s health.

So eat your fruits and vegetables, exercise and relax your eyes regularly and get plenty of sleep and glaucoma may only be something you read about.

Tags: Symptoms Of Glaucoma