Certified Clinical Ophthalmic Assistant (CCOA) Practice Exam 2026 – Your All-in-One Resource for Exam Success!

The most recognized symptom associated with acute glaucoma is eye pain and redness. This condition, particularly acute angle-closure glaucoma, presents suddenly and is often characterized by severe eye pain that can radiate to other areas of the head. The pain is typically accompanied by redness of the eye due to increased intraocular pressure and irritation of the surrounding tissues.

In addition to pain and redness, patients may also experience symptoms like blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, nausea, and vomiting, which are the result of sustained elevated intraocular pressure. Understanding the relationship between these symptoms and the underlying pathophysiology of acute glaucoma is crucial for timely identification and treatment of this emergency condition.

Other symptoms, such as sudden vision loss or eye dryness, might occur in various eye conditions but are not the hallmarks of acute glaucoma. Drooping eyelids, often associated with conditions like ptosis or neurological issues, are also not indicative of acute glaucoma. Therefore, focusing on eye pain and redness allows for a better understanding of the immediate signs that warrant urgent medical attention.