Glaucoma refers to a condition where the pressure inside the eyeball is elevated. The eye constantly produces fluid, which flows into the eyeball, but this fluid also drains away at nearly the same rate, maintaining stable pressure inside the eye.

If there is an issue with fluid drainage, the pressure can increase, usually leading to what is known as chronic glaucoma. In this form, the pressure rises gradually, often without causing noticeable symptoms in the short term.

The danger lies in the fact that by the time symptoms are noticeable, significant damage may already have been done to the eyesight. Therefore, it is crucial to detect and treat glaucoma early. Acute glaucoma, on the other hand, is a much more serious and urgent condition.

Acute glaucoma is a rare but eye-threatening emergency, affecting about 1 in 1,000 people, typically those over 40, and most commonly over 60. In this form, there is nearly a complete blockage of fluid leaving the eyeball, causing the pressure to build up very quickly. This leads to severe pain, a very red eye, sensitivity to light, halos around the vision, and blurred or reduced eyesight.

Any painful, red eye should be treated as a medical emergency, and acute glaucoma is no exception. Immediate medical attention is necessary to address the issue and prevent permanent damage to eyesight.