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Most people with glaucoma are unaware they have a
problem. They don't notice any symptoms until the optic nerve has been
damaged and they begin to lose vision. This is why regular examinations
with your ophthalmologist are so important. One very important point to
stress here is that the slow rise in pressure is almost always painless,
with the person concerned having no idea that the pressure is above
normal.
The first optic nerve fibers to be affected are those
that carry the side vision signals, not the central reading vision.
If
the central fibers were affected first, people would notice symptoms
earlier.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is one type of glaucoma,
although rare, that does produce noticeable symptoms. The peripheral
iris blocks off the drainage angle at the front of the eye, causing a
sudden increase in the intraocular pressure. This type of glaucoma is
more common in older patients who are long-sighted, and those of Asian
background. The raised pressure causes the cornea to swell and become
water-logged. The swollen cornea then acts like prism, causing light to
be broken up into separate colors.
Symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma include:
This type of glaucoma is serious and can rapidly lead
to blindness. It is most important that you contact your family doctor
or ophthalmologist immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
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