Light sensitivity, tearing, & uncontrolled blinking can be symptoms of:

• A. Open-angle glaucoma
• B. Congenital glaucoma
• C. Angle-closure glaucoma
• D. Cataract

Answer: (B)

Photophobia, tearing, and uncontrolled blinking point to congenital glaucoma, especially in infants. This condition comes from a developmental abnormality in the eye’s drainage system, which leads to elevated intraocular pressure. The raised pressure irritates the cornea, causing light sensitivity and corneal edema, while reflex tearing increases as the eye tries to wash away irritation. The blinking or blepharospasm is a protective, involuntary response to the discomfort. In contrast, open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma are more typical in adults and present with different patterns (gradual vision loss or sudden eye pain, halos, redness, and a mid-dilated pupil in angle-closure), and cataracts cause blurred vision and glare rather than the pronounced tearing and blinking seen here.