Patient's question:
Recently, my eyes haven't been feeling well, and I suspect it might be glaucoma. Could you please tell me what are the symptoms of glaucoma?Doctor's answer:
What are the symptoms of glaucoma?Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that causes the depression of the optic disc (formerly called the optic papilla) and visual field defects due to elevated intraocular pressure, ultimately leading to blindness. The normal intraocular pressure in humans is 10–21 mmHg (Schitz tonometer), and anything above 24 mmHg is considered a pathological phenomenon. Elevated intraocular pressure can lead to damage to visual function, with the optic disc showing large and deep depressions, and the visual field exhibiting typical glaucomatous changes. The longer the elevated intraocular pressure persists, the more severe the damage to visual function. The reason for elevated intraocular pressure in glaucoma is the disruption of the dynamic balance of aqueous humor circulation. In a few cases, it is due to excessive aqueous humor secretion, but in most cases, it is caused by an obstruction in the outflow of aqueous humor, such as narrow or even closed anterior chamber angles and trabecular sclerosis.