Patients with glaucoma often initially have no symptoms; later, they can exhibit excessive tearing (lacrimation) and extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia).

On ophthalmologic exam, a doctor can detect increased intraocular pressure, distortion of the optic disc, and corneal edema, which manifests as haziness.

Infantile glaucoma, which often produces the clinical sign of buphthalmos, can be caused when an abnormally narrow angle between the cornea and iris blocks the outflow of aqueous humor;[4] this causes increased intraocular pressure and eventual enlargement of the globe (eyeball).

The name of the condition derives from the Greek βοῦς bous (ox or cow), referring to the bulging eyes common to bovines.

US musical legend Ray Charles, who was totally blind by age 7, had probably been afflicted with glaucoma and may have had buphthalmos early in life.