Glaucoma is a serious medical problem of the eyes where the pressure inside the eye builds up to dangerous levels. Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in America. This makes it a very important condition for doctors and patients to be aware of in their routine care. There are four types of glaucoma, each of which has slightly different symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Glaucoma can be very hard to spot in many patients. The symptoms are often subtle or non-existent in the early stages of the disease. The first type of glaucoma is known as “open-angle” glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, the pressure in the eye builds up very slowly, often over a period of months to years. There are usually few, if any, symptoms associated with this pressure build-up. This type of glaucoma is a virtually silent disorder, and is often not found until it has advanced to a significant degree. It is often discovered during routine eye exams.
There are known risk factors for developing open-angle glaucoma, although it is not always know why this problem develops in many cases. There is a known genetic risk associated with the development of open-angle glaucoma. Persons of African-American descent are more likely to develop this problem. Most people don’t know they have the problem until they begin to loose their sight – at which time the disease has progressed to a severe level.
Closed-angle glaucoma is the second major type of glaucoma. Closed-angle glaucoma is very different than open-angle. Closed-angle is a medical emergency. If not treated promptly, a person can become permanently blind in a short time – often only hours or a couple of days. In this condition, the pressure in the eye rises too fast for the eye to adapt. This can cause severe problems in a short time.
A major symptom of closed-angle glaucoma is pain in the effected eye. A person’s vision will become effected as well. Cloudiness and fuzzy images are common. Many people will experience a certain amount of nausea and vomiting, although this is not universal. The eye often appears to be red, inflamed, and infected. It should be noted that, despite the appearance of the eye, closed-angle glaucoma is not caused by an infection.
Congenital glaucoma is the third major type. This is a condition where a newborn is born with high pressures in the eyes. It is not particularly common, but does require immediate treatment if it is discovered.
Secondary glaucoma is the last of the major types. This is a condition where the pressure in the eye builds due to another medical condition of some kind. It can also be due to the use of certain medicines. The symptoms of secondary glaucoma are similar to those seen in closed-angle glaucoma. The treatment involves controlling the eye pressure in the immediate term, and taking care of the underlying problem that led to the elevated eye pressure.
No matter what type you are talking about, glaucoma is a very serious condition. It is important to get regular eye exams to ensure that your pressure isn’t building up over time. This is even more the case of you have a family member who’s suffered from glaucoma. If you have questions about any of these conditions, make an appointment to see your doctor.
source: medical school and experience as a practicing doctor.
