American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of glaucoma?

1. Blurred vision

2. Severe headaches

3. Floaters

4. Loss of peripheral vision

The correct answer is: Floaters

Floaters are generally considered a symptom related to conditions affecting the vitreous body of the eye, such as posterior vitreous detachment or retinal tears. They appear as small spots or threads that float through your field of vision, often associated with age-related changes. In contrast, glaucoma typically presents with other specific symptoms that relate to increased intraocular pressure and its effects on the optic nerve. Blurred vision can occur in various forms of glaucoma, particularly in acute angle-closure glaucoma, where sudden increases in eye pressure lead to visual disturbances. Severe headaches are also commonly reported with acute glaucoma episodes due to significant intraocular pressure spikes. Loss of peripheral vision is a hallmark symptom of chronic glaucoma, as the condition progressively damages the optic nerve, causing a gradual narrowing of the visual field. Thus, while floaters can indicate other ocular issues, they are not typical indicators of glaucoma, making this answer distinct from the others that align more closely with the condition's classic symptoms.