Glaucoma

Common Types of Glaucoma

Most forms of glaucoma are caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). In healthy eyes, aqueous humor is produced and drained in equal amounts. The fluid nourishes the eye and flushes away waste through the drainage angle. When the drainage system is blocked, eye pressure rises as more aqueous humor is produced than the amount that drains.

There are many types of glaucoma, with the most common types including:

• Angle-closure glaucoma: also called acute or narrow-angle glaucoma. Eye pressure increases rapidly when the eye’s drainage system is blocked. As a result, patients can experience sudden symptoms, including nausea and eye pain.
• Normal-tension glaucoma: eye pressure remains within the average range, but the optic nerve is damaged. The deterioration may be caused by a sensitive optic nerve or reduced blood supply.
• Open-angle glaucoma: the most common form occurs when the eye’s drainage canal becomes clogged. Optic nerve deterioration and vision loss are generally gradual.
• Secondary glaucoma: any type of glaucoma where the cause of increased eye pressure is unknown. Optic nerve damage may be related to injury, inflammation, or a complication of medication or a medical condition.

Acute closed-angle glaucoma is an eye emergency requiring immediate medical care. While most forms of glaucoma develop slowly with no symptoms, acute narrow-angle glaucoma can cause sudden and severe symptoms, including:

• Blurry vision
• Eye pain & redness
• Halos around lights
• Nausea & vomiting
• Sudden or severe headache

Contact us or head to an emergency room if you experience symptoms.