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What symptoms can occur during an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack?
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eye disease
An ophthalmologist performing LASIK eye surgery.
An acute angle-closure glaucoma attack is a medical emergency characterized by a rapid increase in intraocular pressure. During such an attack, individuals may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain: Severe pain in the eye and associated headaches.12
- Visual disturbances: Deteriorating vision and the appearance of halos around lights.12
- Physical signs: The eye may appear red and feel hard to the touch.2
- Systemic symptoms: The pain can be intense enough to induce nausea and vomiting.12
Because this condition can lead to permanent vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve, urgent medical intervention is required to lower the pressure within the eye. While some individuals experience minor, subacute attacks that resolve with rest or sleep, an acute episode requires professional treatment to prevent lasting ocular damage.21