Symptoms and signs of glaucoma

Symptoms

Asymptomatic or reduced peripheral visual acuity, usually in the shape of an arc over the top or bottom of their vision, but they may also have paracentral scotomata.

Signs

Patients may have a relative afferent papillary defect if the glaucoma is advanced in one eye. Fundoscopy shows a cupped optic disc and there are reduced visual fields on confrontation.

When checking visual fields, try to compare them to your own to see if they are reduced or not. Practice examining normal optic discs so that you can pick up on abnormal discs.

An optometrist can check intraocular pressure. Note that space-occupying lesions in the brain can present in a similar way to glaucoma so be sure to ask about headaches.

Learn more about Glaucoma...

Learn more about other eye conditions

Last updated: 28 March 2012

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