The risk factors for acute glaucoma are older age, farsightedness , family history of acute glaucoma, stress , and the use of systemic anticholinergic medications such as atropine or eye dilation drops in a high-risk individual. Acute , congenital, and secondary glaucoma are much less common than chronic glaucoma. In most cases, there is no prevention for the development of glaucoma. If detected early, further vision loss and blindness may be prevented with treatment. Careful use of dilating eye drops and systemic anticholinergic medications may prevent acute attacks in high risk individuals.
More frequent examination is indicated when a family history of glaucoma is present.
Often there are no symptoms. A physical examination may be non-diagnostic. The objective of treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure . Depending on the type of glaucoma, this is achieved by medications or by surgery. Acute glaucoma is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment by an emergency center or ophthalmologist.