Which symptom is most characteristic of closed-angle glaucoma?

Which symptom is most characteristic of closed-angle glaucoma?

• A. Acute eye pain
• B. Gradual peripheral vision loss
• C. Hearing loss
• D. Itching of the eyes

Answer: (A)

Closed-angle glaucoma presents as an acute crisis driven by a rapid rise in intraocular pressure when the drainage angle abruptly blocks. This causes a sudden, severe eye pain often with eye redness, headache, nausea or vomiting, halos around lights, and a rapid decline in vision. It is an emergency because the optic nerve can be damaged quickly if not treated promptly. In contrast, gradual peripheral vision loss happens with open-angle glaucoma and is usually painless, developing over years. Hearing loss and itching of the eyes aren’t typical features of glaucoma and point to other conditions. So the defining symptom of closed-angle glaucoma is the sudden, intense eye pain from the abrupt pressure rise.

Closed-angle glaucoma presents as an acute crisis driven by a rapid rise in intraocular pressure when the drainage angle abruptly blocks. This causes a sudden, severe eye pain often with eye redness, headache, nausea or vomiting, halos around lights, and a rapid decline in vision. It is an emergency because the optic nerve can be damaged quickly if not treated promptly.

In contrast, gradual peripheral vision loss happens with open-angle glaucoma and is usually painless, developing over years. Hearing loss and itching of the eyes aren’t typical features of glaucoma and point to other conditions. So the defining symptom of closed-angle glaucoma is the sudden, intense eye pain from the abrupt pressure rise.