Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a sudden, dangerous rise in eye pressure. Symptoms are dramatic and require emergency treatment.
Typical symptom pattern
People often develop severe pain and blurred vision over minutes to hours. One eye is usually affected first.
- Intense eye pain and headache on one side
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision with rainbow haloes around lights
- Red eye and a hard, tender eyeball
Why urgent care is essential
High pressure can quickly damage the optic nerve. Delaying treatment risks permanent vision loss.
- Call emergency services or attend hospital immediately
- Do not wait for symptoms to improve on their own
- Family members may be offered checks because of shared risk
- Preventive laser treatment is often done for the fellow eye
