Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure in the eye, resulting in nerve compression, decrease ocular blood perfusion and potential vision loss. Being able to recognize the early signs of the condition will help you save your vision and prevent disability. Here are a few red flags that indicate you may need to see an eye doctor.

3 Symptoms of Glaucoma

1. Blurry Vision

As the pressure builds in your eye, it’ll become more challenging for it to focus properly, which will lead to blurred vision. Over time, increased eye pressure will cause blind spots to develop within your visual field, resulting in partial blindness. If you notice these symptoms, see an optometrist provider immediately—certain prescription medicines and eye drops can help reduce pressure in the eye, preventing further vision loss.

2. Eye & Head Pain

A buildup of pressure in your eyes causes discomfort, and many people with glaucoma experience severe eye pain and headaches. This discomfort is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. However, many patients with early signs of glaucoma will have no symptoms.

3. Rainbow-Colored Circles Around Lights

A buildup of internal eye pressure may also introduce halos, which are rainbow-colored circles that appear around bright lights. Halos appear because the pressure creates unnatural bends in your eye’s lens. To alleviate fluid buildup and prevent halos and eye damage, your vision care team can relieve the pressure by using glaucoma medications, surgical techniques or drainage stents. If you have a famly history of glaucoma, low blood pressure, chronic congestion, fluctuation in vision, you may want to have an evaluation for glaucoma.

If you want to get tested for this eye condition, visit Edwin Y. Endo, O.D. & Associates in Aiea, HI. This experienced optometrist will check for glaucoma by performing a very specific OCT evaluation of the optic nerve and can determine how prone you are to glacoma or the severity of your glaucoma and the best medications/procedures for your type of glaucoma. The test is painless, and it only takes a few minutes. Visit his website to view his other eye care services, or call (808) 487-5500 to schedule an exam.