What is characteristic of open-angle glaucoma?

• A. Gradual loss of peripheral vision, typically painless
• B. Sudden severe eye pain with halos
• C. Rapid central vision loss
• D. Red eye with discharge

Answer: (A)

Open-angle glaucoma presents with a gradual, painless loss of peripheral vision due to chronic optic nerve damage from elevated intraocular pressure. Because the progression is slow, patients often don’t notice until substantial peripheral field loss has occurred, while central vision remains intact in the early and middle stages. This painless, gradual peripheral field loss is the hallmark you’re looking for.

In contrast, an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack shows sudden eye pain, halos around lights, headache or nausea, and a red eye with vision changes—an emergency not seen with open-angle glaucoma. Rapid central vision loss suggests other conditions like macular disease or optic neuropathies, and a red eye with discharge points more toward conjunctivitis or keratitis, not glaucoma.