Types of Glaucoma

This type of glaucoma accounts for most of the glaucoma in most countries. It does not cause any pain, redness or blurring of vision even when the eye pressure is elevated and the disease progresses very slowly.

This type of glaucoma is very common among Asians. All around the world, more people are blind from angle closure glaucoma than open angle glaucoma. It can occur in the acute or chronic form.

In acute angle-closure glaucoma, the eye pressure rises very suddenly to very high levels causing severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision and the patient often sees haloes around lights. The patient would also experience severe headache and nausea. Vomiting is common. This is an emergency and requires urgent treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

The chronic form of closed angle glaucoma would present in a manner similar to open angle glaucoma.

Secondary glaucomas are caused by conditions like poorly controlled diabetes, eye injuries, previous eye surgery, inflammation in the eye, use of corticosteroids medications or other eye conditions that obstruct the drainage of the fluid in the eye. Cataracts in their advanced stage can also result in high eye pressure leading to glaucoma.

This is a rare form of glaucoma that begins at birth. The infant’s eyes are enlarged, with hazy appearance of the cornea, tearing and sensitivity to light. An urgent eye examination and initiation of treatment is necessary to prevent blindness.