What symptom may indicate acute glaucoma?

Severe headache and nausea are hallmark symptoms that may indicate acute glaucoma, particularly in the context of acute angle-closure glaucoma. This condition arises when there is a rapid increase in intraocular pressure due to the blockage of the drainage pathway of the aqueous humor, often presenting suddenly. The severe headache is typically localized around the eye and can be accompanied by nausea, which is related to the severe pain and the body’s response to this acute event.

Other symptoms such as blurred vision, red eyes, and increased tearing can occur in various eye conditions but are not specifically predominant in acute glaucoma. Blurred vision may result from many ocular disorders, red eyes can be a sign of several issues including infections or irritations, and increased tearing often indicates irritation or inflammation rather than a direct relationship with intraocular pressure changes seen in glaucoma. Thus, the combination of severe headache and nausea provides a critical clue towards recognizing an acute glaucoma attack.