What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease, which, if left untreated, can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to blindness. Glaucoma is a blanket term given for several diseases of the eye, all of which lead to damage of the optic nerve and eventual vision loss and blindness. Glaucoma is caused by unusually high pressure in your eye, most often caused by the drainage canals becoming clogged. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in general, and the primary cause of blindness in people over the age of 60.

What Are the Different Types of Glaucoma?

There are many diseases that fall under the classification of glaucoma. Here is a list of some of the most common and what differentiates them:

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is the most common form of glaucoma, affecting approximately four million people in the U.S., many without knowing they even have it. The symptoms of open-angle glaucoma progress very slowly and develop gradually over time. Symptoms include blurry or patchy spots in your peripheral or central vision. In very advanced OAG, tunnel vision is common. OAG occurs when the angle at which your iris and cornea meet is normal, healthy, and wide-open. Your eye’s drainage canals become blocked or clogged and prevent proper drainage, which in turn increases pressure in your eye and causes damage to your optic nerve. Having regular eye exams will help identify OAG as early as possible and reduce long-term damage to your vision.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), also referred to as narrow-angle glaucoma, is far rarer than OAG. The symptoms set in very quickly and require immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. ACG occurs when your iris bulges and blocks the drainage angle formed by the iris and cornea which leads to a buildup of pressure and subsequently damages the optic nerve. There is also a chronic variety of ACG which develops much more gradually, but through receiving routine eye exams can be caught early and treated before symptoms arise.

The Five Signs of AC Glaucoma You Can’t Ignore

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately, as your vision is at risk.

• Severe headache and eye pain
• Blurred, hazy, or cloudy vision
• Auras or rainbows around bright lights, especially at night
• Sudden blindness
• Nausea and vomiting accompanied by intense eye pain

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

There is still some debate among glaucoma experts as to whether or not normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a separate condition from OAG. Either way, NTG has features that are more common than with standard OAG. NTG sufferers typically lose vision in the center of their visual field, have hemorrhages in the small blood vessels of the optic nerve, and often have migraines and low blood pressure. It’s theorized this version of glaucoma is caused by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. Another thing that makes it stand out is the fact that this variation of disease does not require high pressure in the eye.

Pigmentary Glaucoma

Like other forms of glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma is increased pressure in the eye caused by blocked drainage canals. What makes pigmentary glaucoma different is the cause of the blockage. In pigmentary glaucoma, the blockage is caused by pigment granules from the iris, blocking the drainage canals.

Childhood Glaucoma

While most glaucomas are usually found in persons of advanced age, childhood glaucoma is a disease children are born with. Childhood glaucoma usually occurs before the age of three and symptoms vary, with some children showing no symptoms at all.

Symptoms to look for include:

• Vision loss
• A gray hazy appearance of the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Overproduction of tears
• Enlarged eyes

Speak with an Ophthalmologist

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of glaucoma, our highly trained specialists are waiting to assist. Call one of our convenient locations at 844-485-3202 or click here to make an appointment online.