A client with acute angle-closure glaucoma will likely report which symptom?

A client with acute angle-closure glaucoma will likely report which symptom?

• A. Intermittent blurred vision
• B. Mild discomfort in the eye
• C. Severe eye pain
• D. Foreign body sensation in the eye

Answer: (C)

In the case of acute angle-closure glaucoma, the client typically experiences severe eye pain, which is a hallmark symptom of this condition. The mechanism involves a sudden and rapid increase in intraocular pressure, leading to significant discomfort and pain. Patients might describe the sensation as intense and debilitating, often accompanied by additional symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. This severe pain occurs due to the heightened pressure within the eye as the drainage angle becomes obstructed, causing an acute attack. While the other potential symptoms may also occur in different eye conditions, they do not align as closely with the presentation of acute angle-closure glaucoma as severe eye pain does. Intermittent blurred vision may be associated with other visual disturbances, mild discomfort might not reflect the actual intensity of symptoms present in acute angle-closure glaucoma, and a foreign body sensation, while uncomfortable, isn't specific enough to pinpoint this acute condition. Thus, the experience of severe eye pain is critical for identifying acute angle-closure glaucoma and differentiates it from other eye disorders.

In the case of acute angle-closure glaucoma, the client typically experiences severe eye pain, which is a hallmark symptom of this condition. The mechanism involves a sudden and rapid increase in intraocular pressure, leading to significant discomfort and pain. Patients might describe the sensation as intense and debilitating, often accompanied by additional symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. This severe pain occurs due to the heightened pressure within the eye as the drainage angle becomes obstructed, causing an acute attack.

While the other potential symptoms may also occur in different eye conditions, they do not align as closely with the presentation of acute angle-closure glaucoma as severe eye pain does. Intermittent blurred vision may be associated with other visual disturbances, mild discomfort might not reflect the actual intensity of symptoms present in acute angle-closure glaucoma, and a foreign body sensation, while uncomfortable, isn't specific enough to pinpoint this acute condition. Thus, the experience of severe eye pain is critical for identifying acute angle-closure glaucoma and differentiates it from other eye disorders.