Glaucoma, Vision & Longevity: Supplements & Science

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Discover the latest science on glaucoma, vision, and longevity. Each episode explores evidence-based supplements for eye health, healthy aging, and lifespan extension. Original articles backed by real scientific research. All source links available at visualfieldtest.com, where you can also take a free visual field test online. Subscribe for weekly insights on glaucoma treatment, glaucoma prevention, vision supplements, and longevity research that could protect your sight and extend your healthspan.MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content presented should not replace professional medical consultation.Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Never stop or modify prescribed treatments without consulting your ophthalmologist or healthcare provider.The supplements and research discussed are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and supplements are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing eye conditions or are taking medications.The visual field test available at visualfieldtest.com is a screening tool only and does not replace comprehensive eye exams by a licensed professional.

  1. How Long Does a Glaucoma Test Take

    1D AGO

    How Long Does a Glaucoma Test Take

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/how-long-does-a-glaucoma-test-take Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: How Long Does a Glaucoma Test TakeVisiting the eye doctor to check for glaucoma can feel overwhelming – not least because there isn’t a single “glaucoma test” but a whole battery of exams. Depending on whether you’re just getting a routine screening, a full diagnostic workup, or follow-up for known glaucoma, your doctor will pick some or all of the following tests. Understanding what each test involves – and how long it actually takes – can remove the mystery. It can help you schedule the right amount of time, arrange a ride home if your eyes will be dilated, and plan breaks so you stay comfortable instead of stressed. In short, knowing the timing for each step means you won’t be rushed or confused during what may be one of the most important appointments of your year. Below we break down each common glaucoma-related test, roughly how long it takes, and why it matters. We then explain how these pieces add up to real-world exam lengths – from a quick pressure check to a full, two-hour glaucoma workup. Finally, we offer practical tips for your visit and set realistic expectations by visit type, stage of disease, and purpose of the exam. Remember: taking these tests seriously and sparing time for them is vital for catching any glaucoma damage early and protecting your vision. Why There Is No Single Glaucoma TestFirst, let’s be clear: glaucoma isn’t diagnosed by one magic test or machine. Instead, ophthalmologists and optometrists put together information from several exams. For example, one person’s glaucoma checkup might include only an eye pressure test and a quick look at the optic nerve during a routine eye exam. But a patient with suspected glaucoma or confirmed disease will get many more tests (like a full visual field test, imaging scans, nerve photos, etc.). Each test gives a different piece of the puzzle. Some measure intraocular pressure (IOP), others measure corneal thickness, the drainage angle of the eye, the thickness of optic nerve fibers, or functional vision in the peripheral field. No single test alone can diagnose most cases of glaucoma. In fact, experts agree that combining multiple tests is essential for accurate screening and diagnosis () (). Knowing this helps you understand why an appointment might feel long: your eye doctor needs a full picture of eye health before concluding whether glaucoma is present or progressing. Below are the most common components of a glaucoma evaluation, listed roughly in the order they might happen (technicians often screen before you see the doctor). We note the approximate time each step takes, so you can see how minutes add up and why a thorough exam can stretch to an hour or more.Eye Pressure Measurement: Tonometry (1–3 seconds per eye)Tonometry measures the pressure inside your eyes, an important factor in glaucoma. There are two common methods:Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) uses a tiny blue light and a small probe touching the surface of the eye. You’ll get an anesthetic drop, and then the doctor or technician will align a slit-lamp (microscope) to gently touch a calibrated tip to your cornea. The actual pressure reading in each eye takes only about 1–2 seconds once set up, though positioning the instrument can take a minute or two per eye. Non-contact (air-puff) tonometry uses a quick puff of air. You sit at a machine a Support the show

    23 min
  2. Which Is Worse Cataracts or Glaucoma

    2D AGO

    Which Is Worse Cataracts or Glaucoma

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/which-is-worse-cataracts-or-glaucoma Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Which Is Worse: Cataracts or Glaucoma?Vision loss is a frightening prospect. Two of the most common, age-related eye conditions are cataracts and glaucoma. On the surface they may seem similar, but they behave very differently. Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of reversible blindness: the cloudy lens can be replaced with a clear one, usually restoring vision almost completely. By contrast, glaucoma silently destroys the optic nerve. Any nerve fiber lost to glaucoma is gone for good – no current treatment can undo that damage (). In fact, one analysis found that by the time a glaucoma patient notices vision problems, about 90% of the optic nerve fibers are already lost (). This basic fact – cataracts are nearly always fixable by surgery, whereas glaucoma causes irreversible vision loss – drives the entire comparison. Yet cataracts and glaucoma both become more common with age and often occur together, so understanding their differences matters for any patient. Cataracts globally cause far more total blindness simply because many regions lack surgery. For perspective, a WHO report notes that cataracts account for about 94 million cases of visual impairment worldwide, far exceeding the 7.7 million due to glaucoma (). Another study found nearly 45% of all global blindness was from cataract () – almost 15 million people – versus glaucoma as the second-leading cause (around 8 million blind) () (). Crucially, most cataract blindness is preventable with surgery, but glaucoma blindness is permanent. The one-two punch is that in high-income countries cataract surgery is routine and highly successful, whereas in poorer regions many people go blind simply because they cannot get an operation. So in total numbers cataracts are “worse” for global blindness, but for an individual patient glaucoma is more insidious. The bottom line: a cataract diagnosis alone is a problem you can usually fix, while glaucoma is a lifelong threat that can only be slowed, not cured. Regular eye exams to detect both conditions early are vitally important. How Cataracts and Glaucoma DevelopCataracts – Gradual Blurring and GlareA cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It usually develops slowly over years as age and light exposure cause the lens proteins to clump. Patients typically notice a gradual decline in vision. The most common symptoms are central blurring and glare. For example, just looking at a simple table lamp or dashboard can become bothersome. Oncoming headlights at night may scatter or produce halos and starbursts, making night driving unsafe () (). Many cataract patients describe seeing the world as if through a foggy “frosted glass” (). Colors often look faded or yellowed – whites become creamy and vibrant hues lose their intensity (). In summary, cataract symptoms include:Blurry or cloudy vision: The lens looks foggy, causing overall blur () ().Glare and halos: Bright lights seem glaring or starbursted, especially at night () ().Faded colors: A yellowish tint can make colors look dull () ().Difficulty with reading/driving: Text may seem soft or ghosted, and night driving becomes noticeably harder.Double vision in one eye: Less common, but sometimes a second ghost image is seen through the cataract.Because cataracts worsen slowly, there is usually ample time to notice changes Support the show

    22 min
  3. Does Glaucoma Cause Headaches

    3D AGO

    Does Glaucoma Cause Headaches

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/does-glaucoma-cause-headaches Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Understanding Glaucoma and HeadachesGlaucoma is usually a painless disease. In fact, primary open-angle glaucoma – the most common type – is often called the “silent thief of sight” (). Because eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) in open-angle glaucoma rises slowly over years, the eye’s pain sensors (in the trigeminal nerve) never get triggered. In practical terms, this means chronic glaucoma like open-angle glaucoma does not itself cause headaches (). If someone with open-angle glaucoma does wake up with a headache, the cause is almost certainly something else – perhaps stress, migraine, sinus issues or more – and it should be evaluated on its own merits, rather than blamed on the glaucoma. Proper treatment for both the eye and the headache can be delayed by assuming a connection that isn’t really there.That said, some forms of glaucoma do cause head pain. Below we contrast the painless “slow” glaucoma with the painful “fast” glaucomas and other scenarios where headaches really may be related to the eye. We will also discuss how to tell a serious glaucoma-related headache from an ordinary headache and what to do about it.When Glaucoma Doesn’t Cause Headache: Primary Open-Angle GlaucomaIn primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the eye’s drainage angle stays open but the fluid drains slowly, so pressure creeps up over time. Because the rise in pressure is gradual, the eye has time to adapt and pain sensors are not activated. Doctors and vision patients alike often describe open-angle glaucoma as asymptomatic until the late stages of vision loss (). In other words, most people with POAG will never feel an ache or headache from the disease itself. It is crucial to appreciate this. If you have been diagnosed with POAG (or ocular hypertension) and you experience headaches, those headaches are almost certainly unrelated. They deserve a separate work-up – perhaps by your primary care doctor or a neurologist – and attributing them casually to “glaucoma” can be misleading. Likewise, if a patient has chronic headaches and also happens to have glaucoma, don’t assume one caused the other without evidence. Open-angle glaucoma should not prevent headache evaluation, nor should headache evaluation delay glaucoma care, but both deserve attention. Key Point: Chronic, gradual IOP elevation in open-angle glaucoma does not trigger pain receptors. If an open-angle glaucoma patient has a headache, look for other causes (). Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A Painful EmergencyBy stark contrast, acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG) is an emergency that usually causes severe, unmistakable pain. In angle-closure glaucoma, the front part of the eye suddenly becomes blocked: the iris bows forward and closes off the drainage angle. Aqueous fluid cannot escape, and intraocular pressure jumps dramatically – often well above 40–60 mmHg (normal pressure is ~12–22). This rapid pressure spike presses on pain-sensitive structures and leads to a throbbing, often blinding headache or eye pain. The headache in AACG is typically severe and unilateral (on the side of the affected eye). It is often described as a deep ache around the eye, brow or temple (a frontal or periorbital headache). Patients might also see blurred vision, halos around lights, and feel nauseous or vomit as the IOP soars (). In clinics and textbooks, acute angle-closure Support the show

    18 min
  4. How to Test for Glaucoma

    3D AGO

    How to Test for Glaucoma

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/how-to-test-for-glaucoma Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Introduction Glaucoma is a complex eye disease in which no single test can provide a definitive answer. Instead, a battery of tests is needed to build a full picture of your eyes: measuring pressure, examining the drainage angle, evaluating the optic nerve head, and mapping your visual field. Each test provides one piece of the puzzle. When you understand what each test does and what the numbers mean, you become an active partner in your care – not just a passive patient sitting in the dark. This guide will explain why multiple tests are necessary and how each one contributes unique information about your eye pressure, anatomy, nerve health, and vision, with clear explanations of the results you’ll receive. Why Multiple Tests Matter Glaucoma is defined by damage to the optic nerve, often associated with high eye pressure (intraocular pressure or IOP), but it can occur even with “normal” pressure. For example, many glaucoma patients actually have relatively low measured IOP because they have thin corneas, which can make pressure readings appear falsely low (). Conversely, a very thick cornea can make IOP look higher than it really is. On the other hand, some eyes with higher pressure never develop glaucoma. Therefore, doctors must look at eye anatomy and function in addition to pressure. This means examining the drainage angle (to see if fluid can escape properly), inspecting the optic nerve for damage, and testing your peripheral vision. In practice, this requires a comprehensive evaluation with complementary tests (). One review of international guidelines notes that general screening is of “limited clinical utility,” and no single test has both the sensitivity and specificity needed (). The takeaway is that a combination of pressure measurement, imaging, and visual field testing is used to confirm or rule out glaucoma. Empowering you as a patient means explaining each test and result. When you walk out of the exam room, you should know, for example, “The average IOP measured 18 mmHg and the pachymetry showed my cornea is thin, which means my true IOP is probably higher,” or “My OCT shows red areas where my nerve fiber layer is thinner than normal.” Armed with this knowledge and the actual printouts of your tests, you can track trends over time and ask informed questions. Measuring Intraocular Pressure (Tonometry and Pachymetry) The only modifiable risk factor for glaucoma is high eye pressure. Measuring IOP is therefore a crucial first step, but even this has nuances. Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT) is the gold standard for IOP measurement. () In this test, a tiny probe gently flattens (“applanates”) the cornea, using a slit-lamp microscope. GAT has been used for decades and is very well validated. () It requires anesthetic eye drops and careful technique. Most clinical trials and glaucoma treatment thresholds are based on Goldmann IOP values. Because GAT relies on flattening the cornea, its reading is accurate for an “average” cornea (about 520 microns thick ()). But if your cornea is much thinner or thicker, the reading can be off (more on that below). Non-Contact (Air-Puff) Tonometry is the familiar–and more comfortable–test that blows a brief puff of air onto your eye. It also measures pressure by analyzing how the cornea flattens under the air impulse. Modern air-puff devices have shown very s Support the show

    36 min
  5. Is Glaucoma a Disability

    4D AGO

    Is Glaucoma a Disability

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/is-glaucoma-a-disability Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Understanding Glaucoma and DisabilityGlaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve and gradually erodes vision. Importantly, having a glaucoma diagnosis alone does not automatically make someone disabled – what matters is how much vision is lost. Disability systems around the world focus on measurable impairment. In practice, that means we look at a person’s best-corrected visual acuity (with glasses) and the extent of their visual field. For example, U.S. law defines “statutory blindness” as corrected vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye (about 10% of normal) or a visual field 20° or less (). Only if glaucoma causes vision loss that meets those thresholds can a person be deemed legally blind under Social Security rules. In short, the answer to “Is glaucoma a disability?” is “it depends.” Early-stage glaucoma often leaves central vision intact, so a person may function normally and not qualify for disability. Very advanced glaucoma that produces “tunnel vision” or severe acuity loss typically meets legal blindness criteria in many systems (see below). And in between, millions of people fall into a gray area: they cannot see and function as before (especially driving or reading), yet do not meet strict disability thresholds. Their situation can be legally and emotionally challenging. Below we unpack how different countries and laws handle glaucoma-related vision loss, how glaucoma practically affects daily life and work, and what support is available. We also discuss the hidden burden of glaucoma (“invisible disability”) and how early treatment and evolving laws may change the picture in future.Legal Definitions: Glaucoma, Vision Loss, and Disability StatusDisability eligibility is almost always tied to functional vision tests rather than a medical label. Across countries, authorities specify vision thresholds (and sometimes field of vision limits) that determine disability benefits, driving privileges, tax breaks, etc. Glaucoma can cause visual acuity loss, peripheral field constriction, or both, so it is evaluated by these measures. A patient with mild field loss may drive safely and work normally, while a patient who is legally blind (e.g. ≤20/200 vision or 20° field in the better eye) faces major daily challenges and qualifies for full disability support. United States: Social Security vs. ADA Social Security Disability (SSA): The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to those proven unable to work due to medical impairments. For vision, the “Blue Book” listing defines disability by two criteria: [2.02, Loss of Central Visual Acuity] and [2.03, Contraction of Visual Fields]. In practice SSA regards a person as statutorily blind if their best-corrected visual acuity is 20/200 or worse in the better eye, or their visual field is 20° or less (). (For reference, “20/200” means you must be 20 feet away to see what a person with normal vision can see at 200 feet.) Glaucoma patients reaching those thresholds can qualify for disability payments. If a person’s sight is better than these cutoffs, SSA may still evaluate their remaining work capacity, but tougher standards apply. Essentially, only severe vision loss qualifies for SSA benefits. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Federal anti‐discrimination law (the ADA) has a much b Support the show

    25 min
  6. Is Glaucoma Genetic

    6D AGO

    Is Glaucoma Genetic

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/is-glaucoma-genetic Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Introduction Yes – glaucoma often runs in families, but the story is far more complex than a single “glaucoma gene.” Having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with glaucoma raises your own risk dramatically – by roughly 4 to 9 times compared with the general population (). In other words, family history is a very strong warning flag. However, most cases of glaucoma are not caused by one single inherited mutation. Instead, glaucoma is usually a polygenic, multifactorial disease – meaning that dozens or even hundreds of common genetic variants each add a little to risk, and environmental factors (age, blood pressure, steroid use, etc.) also play key roles. In this article we unpack the genetics: identifying the handful of rare genes that can cause glaucoma on their own, and explaining the vast network of other genes that subtly raise risk. We also explore how genetic risk varies among ethnic groups, what exciting new genetic tests and treatments are on the horizon, and what patients should do today with family history or genetic test results in hand.Monogenic Glaucoma – When One Gene Drives the Disease A few glaucoma genes follow classic “Mendelian” inheritance (like sickle cell or cystic fibrosis), especially in early‐onset cases. These are relatively rare but have very high impact. We highlight the major ones: MYOC (myocilin). This was the first glaucoma gene discovered. Mutations in MYOC cause juvenile and adult primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). In juvenile-onset glaucoma (ages ~3–40), MYOC mutations appear in roughly 10% of patients () (up to ~30–36% in some early studies). In adult POAG (onset after age 40), MYOC mutations account for about 3–5% of cases (). These mutations act in a dominant way; if you have one bad copy of MYOC you have high lifetime risk of glaucoma (). For example, a common MYOC mutation called p.Gln368Ter is found almost exclusively in people of European descent and by itself gives a very high risk – population studies show that carriers of this variant have about a 7-fold higher odds of POAG than non-carriers () (). (Not everyone with the mutation gets glaucoma, illustrating that other factors matter too.) OPTN (optineurin) and TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1). These two genes are linked to normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG), a form of open-angle glaucoma that occurs even when eye pressure is not elevated. In rare families with aggressive NTG, mutations in OPTN or duplications of TBK1 have been found (). These mutations also act in a dominant fashion. Because OPTN and TBK1 are involved in cellular stress and death pathways, their discovery showed that neurodegenerative mechanisms (not just high pressure) can drive glaucoma (). CYP1B1. This gene (encoding a cytochrome P450 enzyme) is the major cause of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) – glaucoma that appears at birth or in infancy. Mutations in CYP1B1 are autosomal recessive, meaning a child must inherit two bad copies (one from each parent) to develop the disease. Worldwide, CYP1B1 mutations are by far the most common cause of PCG, especially in populations with high family marriage rates (). (In one large review, over 70 different CYP1B1 mutations were identified in PCG patients from many countries ().) Because this is a well-established cause, any child with true congenital glaucoma is usually offered genetic Support the show

    20 min
  7. What Is Narrow Angle Glaucoma

    FEB 20

    What Is Narrow Angle Glaucoma

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/what-is-narrow-angle-glaucoma Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: What Is Narrow-Angle Glaucoma?Primary glaucoma is usually thought of as “open-angle” glaucoma, where the eye’s drainage system (the trabecular meshwork in the angle between the cornea and iris) remains open. Narrow-angle glaucoma – also called angle-closure glaucoma – is different. In these eyes the front part of the eye is crowded: the iris (the colored part) sits too close to the drainage angle, blocking fluid outflow. Tiny pores in the drainage tissue can become partially or fully sealed by the iris. This stops aqueous humor from draining normally and causes eye pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) to rise quickly () (). In open-angle glaucoma, pressure usually rises slowly over years and damages nerves little by little. In contrast, narrow angles can abruptly trap fluid, driving IOP sky-high in hours – a spike that can destroy optic nerve fibers very quickly if untreated () (). High pressure in the eye leads to irreversible vision loss if not relieved. In fact, studies show angle-closure glaucoma causes blindness far more often than open-angle disease (). Although rare compared to open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure attacks can be catastrophic. It is one of the few true eye emergencies, because vision can be lost in a matter of hours without treatment () (). Anatomy: Closed Angle vs. Open AngleTo understand narrow angles, imagine the anterior chamber of the eye (space between cornea and iris) as a bowl. In open-angle glaucoma this bowl is deep enough that fluid (the aqueous humor) easily flows through the angle at the periphery. In narrow-angle glaucoma, the inner wall of the bowl (iris) bows forward toward the outer wall (cornea). This flattens and narrows the angle through which fluid drains () (). A helpful way ophthalmologists define angle-closure is by how much the iris touches the trabecular meshwork. If more than half of the meshwork is blocked by iris contact, the angle is considered “closed” (). In practice, doctors use gonioscopy – a special contact lens with mirrors – to shine light into the angle and see how open it is (). With gonioscopy they can see if the iris is bumping into the drainage site. In short, angle-closure glaucoma means the drainage pathway is physically narrowed or sealed off by the iris, whereas open-angle glaucoma means the pathway remains open but becomes clogged or inefficient in other ways.The Spectrum of Angle-Closure DiseaseNarrow angles come in degrees. Some people are “angle-closure suspects” with anatomically narrow angles but no glaucoma damage yet. Others progress to chronic or acute closure. Narrow Angles (Angle-Closure Suspect) Some eyes simply have naturally shallow anterior chambers. These eyes are at risk: the iris is closer to the angle than normal, but fluid still drains (though a little slower). Many people with narrow angles never have symptoms or vision loss. We call them “suspects” or “pre-glaucoma.” They have narrow angles on exam, but pressure and nerve health remain normal. Such eyes need monitoring and often preventive treatment because they can progress to true angle-closure. Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma (Subacute, Insidious) Over time, a narrow angle can develop synechiae (iris adhesions) – patches where the iris sticks to the meshwork. This can block drainage bit by bit. Chronic angle-closure glaucoma often has no warning p Support the show

    19 min
  8. What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma

    FEB 18

    What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma

    This audio article is from VisualFieldTest.com. Read the full article here: https://visualfieldtest.com/en/what-are-the-symptoms-of-glaucoma Test your visual field online: https://visualfieldtest.com Support the show so new episodes keep coming: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2563091/support Excerpt: Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight.” In primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) – the most common form worldwide – patients usually notice nothing at all until the disease is advanced (). In fact, eye doctors warn that POAG is essentially asymptomatic in early stages. The optic nerve slowly deteriorates over years, chipping away at peripheral vision without causing any pain or obvious change in sharpness. Imagine bumping into objects at the edges of your vision, missing curb steps, or failing to see people approaching from the side – these subtle clues can appear, but often go unnoticed for so long that about 40% of retinal nerve fibers are already lost before patients report any “tunnel vision” or vision loss (). By then, glaucoma’s real symptom is finally felt: the absence of any warning at all. As POAG progresses, symptoms emerge only gradually. Patients may describe difficulty discriminating contrast, or an unusual glare or halo around lights – especially when driving at night. In fact, research shows many people with glaucoma have trouble with glare and low-contrast vision (). Bright headlights or sunlit road signs may seem to wash out, and vision transition from dark to light can become jarring. These symptoms are often dismissed as normal aging or unrecognized cataracts. Over time, the visual field continues to constrict like tunnel vision, and central vision can slowly be affected. Reading small print, recognizing faces, or navigating unfamiliar routes then become more challenging. By the late stages of POAG, even straight-ahead vision can blur, greatly impacting daily activities. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Unlike POAG’s silent course, acute angle-closure glaucoma presents suddenly and dramatically. This is a true emergency. Patients develop a sprinter’s warning sign of symptoms: intense eye pain, severe headache, and visual disturbances all at once. The affected eye turns red and feels very hard. Vision blurs and patients often see colored halos around lights. The episode may trigger nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain. In fact, one eye care protocol notes that acute angle-closure can mimic a neurological or gastrointestinal emergency: patients can be misdiagnosed with migraine, sinus headache or severe stomach sickness (). This is dangerous – without immediate treatment (often within hours) to lower the eye’s pressure, permanent vision loss can result (). In short, sudden eye pain plus headache and nausea demands an immediate emergency response. Subacute (“Intermittent”) Angle-Closure Glaucoma Some people experience intermittent angle-closure attacks – shorter, milder episodes that come and go. These attacks can cause dull brow or eye ache, foggy/blurry vision, and exploitable haloes around lights, especially after activities that dim the pupil (for example, moving into a dark room). Each episode may resolve on its own, so patients often ignore it or think it was just a bad headache. Indeed, studies found that many people with subacute angle-closure glaucoma first complain of recurring headaches and are mistakenly treated for migraines (). Because each attack is brief, it’s easy to blame them on stress or sinus troubles instead of underlying eye pressure spikes. Over time, however, these repeated IOP surges cause adhesions in the angle and l Support the show

    13 min
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Discover the latest science on glaucoma, vision, and longevity. Each episode explores evidence-based supplements for eye health, healthy aging, and lifespan extension. Original articles backed by real scientific research. All source links available at visualfieldtest.com, where you can also take a free visual field test online. Subscribe for weekly insights on glaucoma treatment, glaucoma prevention, vision supplements, and longevity research that could protect your sight and extend your healthspan.MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content presented should not replace professional medical consultation.Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Never stop or modify prescribed treatments without consulting your ophthalmologist or healthcare provider.The supplements and research discussed are for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and supplements are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing eye conditions or are taking medications.The visual field test available at visualfieldtest.com is a screening tool only and does not replace comprehensive eye exams by a licensed professional.

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