Glaucoma is not just one specific disease, but a complex of pathologies, as a result of the development of which the pressure inside the eyeball increases. Above normal pressure can injure the optic nerves, which are responsible for transmitting information from the eyes to the brain. Accordingly, untimely treatment can cause significant deterioration or loss of visual function.

The risk of developing signs of glaucoma increases with age. Glaucoma can be primary, when the functioning of the intraocular system is disturbed, and secondary, when the disease develops as a consequence or complication of other diseases. Primary glaucoma can be acute or chronic; it is chronic glaucoma that is the main cause of vision loss.

Glaucoma of the eye develops either due to an increase in fluid production, which is extremely rare, or due to a blockage inside the eye for its normal circulation. The appearance of an obstacle on the way to the drainage network, expansive tension, stress, taking certain medications can cause an acute attack of glaucoma. Damage within the drainage system itself, which interferes with the natural outflow of fluid, leads to the development of a chronic form of glaucoma.  

The chronic form of glaucoma leads to the gradual death of the optic nerve, due to its constant presence under pressure and lack of nutrients, which over time can develop into complete blindness. In acute attacks of glaucoma, the same processes occur, however, in a sharper and stronger form. Acute glaucoma of the eye is accompanied by an attack of pain and loss of vision. If the correct medical attention is not provided in a timely manner, vision may not return to the person at all.

The development of this disease is facilitated by such visual impairments as myopia or hyperopia, diabetes mellitus, hereditary predisposition (if one of the relatives suffers from this disease). Acute glaucoma usually occurs in people with small, narrow eyes, or hyperopia, in circumstances of emotional stress or stress. Of course, the main provoking factor contributing to the development of glaucoma is any mechanical damage to the eyeball. 

Signs of glaucoma

The main symptom of glaucoma is a persistent, gradual deterioration in vision. First of all, with the development of signs of glaucoma in a person, peripheral vision is impaired. Then, in the future, the violation affects the central visual field, for this reason, glaucoma of the eye is not always noticeable immediately, and treatment is not always started on time.

A sign of glaucoma with an attack of the disease is the formation of multi-colored circles in the field of view. Severe pain then develops in the eye, which then spreads to the entire area of ​​the face.

Signs of an acute attack of glaucoma are first iridescent circles around light sources, then severe pain in the eye that spreads to the face, eyelid spasm, watery eyes, reddening of the eye and general symptoms – nausea, vomiting, dizziness. If the intraocular pressure increases even more, then the pain increases incredibly and vision begins to decrease. 

Diagnosis of signs of glaucoma

This diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist after a thorough examination and based on the patient’s complaints. Treatment consists in the use of ointments, medications and special eye drops, which are designed to reduce intraocular pressure. More often than not, this is enough to bring the patient back to normal. However, there are cases when eye glaucoma is associated with anatomical features of the structure of the eyes. In this case, an operation is required.