Glaucoma is a condition where the fluid pressure in the front chamber of the eye is raised.
This may arise as a complication of another eye disorder but most are due to unknown causes.
Primary glaucoma usually arises after the age of 40, being most common in the fifties and sixties.
Acute glaucoma comes on suddenly. It is associated with severe pain in the eye and may radiate to the temple, down the nose or even further around the head and face. Vomiting is common , and this combination of severe headache, vomiting and disturbed vision may be mistaken for migraine.
Vision rapidly deteriorates and haloes may be seen on looking at lights. This is due to swelling or oedema of the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye.
The eye is reddened and there is watering from an excess production of tears. The cornea looks steamy and loses sensation.
Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment or vision may be permanently lost.
Drops to help the drainage of fluid, drugs by mouth to remove fluid and lower the pressure and, sometimes, operation may be required.
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