Eye Conditions
Regular eye exams can help detect vision, as well as medical problems.
With glaucoma, the pressure of the liquid in the eye gets too high. Ask your eye doctor about your glaucoma risk, such as family history or certain health conditions. Testing for glaucoma may begin at age 40.
Chronic (open-angle) glaucoma occurs gradually. The first signs can be loss of side (peripheral) vision and blurred vision.
See your eye doctor as soon as you get signs of this kind of glaucoma. Eye drops and oral medicines can be prescribed.
Acute (angle-closure) glaucoma is a medical emergency! Signs of this are: Severe eye pain, redness in the eye, swollen upper eyelid, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, and severe headache that throbs.
If you have these signs, get to a hospital emergency department right away!
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine