Types of Glaucoma

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma and also called Open-Angle Glaucoma, is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases. In Open-Angle Glaucoma, the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time. This can damage the optic nerve.  With regular eye exams, Open-Angle Glaucoma may be found early and usually responds well to treatment to preserve vision.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

The other main type of glaucoma is Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma, also called Narrow-Angle Glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, the angle in many or most areas between the iris and cornea is closed, reducing fluid drainage and causing increased eye pressure Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

In Normal-Tension Glaucoma, also known as Low-Tension Glaucoma, damage occurs to the optic nerve even though the eye pressure is not high. The cause of Normal-Tension Glaucoma is unknown. Researchers are studying why some optic nerves are damaged by these relatively low fluid pressures.

Secondary Glaucoma

This is a form of glaucoma that has an identifiable cause for increased eye pressure that results in optic nerve damage and vision loss. For example, an eye injury, inflammation, and certain drugs may cause a Secondary Glaucoma.  Secondary Glaucoma includes Pigmentary, Congenital, Exfoliative, Neovascular, Uveitic, and Traumatic Glaucoma.

Pigmentary Glaucoma

Pigmentary glaucoma is a form of Open-Angle Glaucoma that occurs when tiny pigment granules on the back of the iris break off into the aqueous humor and become trapped in the eye’s drainage system. This leads to an increase in eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve.

Congenital Glaucoma

Congenital Glaucoma occurs in babies when there is incorrect or incomplete development of the eye’s drainage canals before birth. This leads to increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve. Symptoms of Congenital Glaucoma include unusually large eyes, excessive tearing, cloudiness of the cornea, and sensitivity to light. This is a rare condition that may be inherited.

Exfoliative Glaucoma

Exfoliative Glaucoma occurs when a flaky material peels off the outer layer of the lens within the eye. The material collects in the angle between the cornea and iris and can clog the drainage system of the eye, causing eye pressure to rise. This type of Open-Angle Glaucoma is known for causing more episodes of high pressure, fluctuations, and higher peak pressures than other types of glaucoma.

Neovascular Glaucoma

Neovascular Glaucoma is caused by the abnormal formation of new blood vessels on the iris and over the eye’s drainage canals. The new blood vessels block the eye’s fluid from exiting through the drainage canals, causing an increase in eye pressure. Neovascular Glaucoma is always associated with other abnormalities, most often diabetes.

Uveitic Glaucoma

Uveitic Glaucoma is a result of an inflammation of the iris and other nearby structures in the eye. These structures become inflamed and disrupt fluid drainage out of the eye, or the steroid medication used to treat the inflamed structures can damage the drainage canals and result in increased fluid pressure.

Traumatic Glaucoma

Injury to the eye may cause Traumatic Glaucoma. This form of Open-Angle Glaucoma can occur immediately after the injury or develop many years later. It can be caused by blunt injuries that bruise the eye (“blunt trauma”) or by injuries that penetrate the eye.