Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure or a fragility of the optic nerve.
The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma that causes no pain, or any other symptom that may indicate an increase in intraocular pressure. Closed-angle glaucoma, which is the least common type, can cause pain and redness in the eyes.
Therefore, in case of suspicion, you should go to the ophthalmologist to perform the tests and start the appropriate treatment for glaucoma and thus prevent vision loss. Find out what tests to take.
What are the symptoms
This eye disease develops slowly, for months or years and, at an early stage, causes no symptoms. However, some symptoms that may occur in the case of angle-closure glaucoma include:
- Diminution of the field of vision, as if it were tapering;
- Intense pain inside the eye;
- Enlargement of the pupil, which is the black part of the eye, or the size of the eyes;
- Blurred and blurred vision;
- Redness of the eye;
- Difficulty in seeing in the dark;
- Vision of arcs around lights;
- Tearing and excessive sensitivity to light;
- Severe headache, nausea and vomiting.
In some people, the only sign of increased pressure in the eyes is decreased side vision.
When a person has these symptoms, he should go to the ophthalmologist to start treatment, since when untreated, glaucoma can lead to loss of vision.
If a family member has glaucoma, his or her children and grandchildren should undergo eye examination at least once before age 20, and again after age 40, which is when glaucoma usually begins to manifest. Learn about the causes that can lead to the onset of glaucoma.
What are the symptoms in the baby
Symptoms of congenital glaucoma are present in children who are already born with glaucoma, and generally are whitish eyes, sensitivity to light and enlargement of the eyes.
Congenital glaucoma can be diagnosed up to 3 years of age, but can be diagnosed soon after birth. However, it is most often discovered between 6 months and 1 year of age. Your treatment can be done with eye drops to lower the internal pressure of the eye, but the main treatment is surgery.
Glaucoma is a chronic condition and therefore has no cure and the only way to ensure vision throughout life is to perform the treatments indicated by the doctor. Learn more details here.
Online test to know the risk of glaucoma
This test of only 5 questions is meant to indicate your risk of having glaucoma and is based on the risk factors for this disease.
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Choose only the statement that best suits you.
Start the test
- I have no relatives with glaucoma.
- My son has glaucoma.
- At least one of my grandparents, father or mother, has glaucoma.
- White, descending of Europeans.
- Indigenous.
- Eastern.
- Mixed, typically Brazilian.
- Black.
- Less than 40 years.
- Between 40 and 49 years.
- Between 50 and 59 years.
- 60 years or more.
- Less than 21 mmHg.
- Between 21 and 25 mmHg.
- More than 25 mmHg.
- I do not know the value or I have never taken the ocular pressure test.
- I'm healthy and I have no illness.
- I have some disease but I do not take corticosteroids.
- I have diabetes or myopia.
- I regularly use corticosteroids.
- I have some eye disease.
