What are sympthons of glaucoma?

Answer 1

First of all you have misspelled symptoms.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, which is what I am assuming you are inquiring about, is the most common type of glaucoma. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms. This is why it is important for people to get their eyes checked on a regular basis especially if you are over the age of 40 and have a positive family history of glaucoma. Optometrists can detect glaucoma through 3 main checks.

First of all a field of vision check would reveal any glaucomatous field defects, usually starting at the nasal field and progressing in an arcuate pattern to the optic disc. If left untreated the eventual consequence of this would be tunnel vision.

Secondly, an assessment of the optic nerve head can reveal glaucoma. If the cup appears very deep or the optic nerves are asymmetrical between the 2 eyes then this can be indicative of glaucoma. A pale disc is also a sign. As is thinning of the neuro-retinal rim and splinter haemorrhages at the disc, usually in the inferior nasal quadrant.

Finally, an optometrist will check the intra-ocular pressure of the eyes. Asymmetry of more than 5mmHg or a value over 21mmHg can suggest glaucoma. This is the least reliable measure of glaucoma detection as you can have normal IOPs yet suffer from glaucoma.