World Glaucoma Week 2018: Types and symptoms of the eye disease

Glaucoma is found very common in older adults and can lead to loss of vision if left untreated.

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New Delhi: Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve. The disease is found very common in older adults and can lead to loss of vision if left untreated.

Though there are several forms of glaucoma, open-angle and closed-angle are the two main types.

Open-angle glaucoma: It is the most common form of glaucoma and develops slowly. It is considered a lifelong condition.

Closed-angle glaucoma: Also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma, it develops very quickly and seeks immediate medical attention. The patient experiences pain and rapid vision loss.

The symptoms of open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma are quite different.

In open-angle glaucoma, peripheral vision is gradually lost and nearly always affects both eyes. The patient has tunnel vision in advanced stages.

Closed-angle glaucoma

• Severe eye pain
• Blurred vision.
• Eye pain is accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Red eyes.
• Sudden vision problems, especially when lighting is poor.

World Glaucoma Week is observed worldwide from March 11 to 17 every year and aims to create greater awareness about the disease while encouraging people to have regular eye checks. It is a joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association.