Types Of Glaucoma: What You Should Know

Cataracts are an eye disorder that manifests itself in various ways. Although it is usually associated with high pressure in the eye, the truth is that there are types of glaucoma with a normal pressure in the eye.

That said, all types of glaucoma are chronic and degenerative. This means that they will develop if left untreated and will lead to damage to the optic nerve. The worst result of the process is blindness due to the destruction of the system, which captures images and sends the information to the brain.

Diagnosis of glaucoma

One of the problems with diagnosing glaucoma early on is that it has no obvious signs in the beginning. A person may spend years developing elevated pressure in the eyes without knowing it.

To confirm this disorder, one will need to measure the pressure inside the eye. It is a procedure that the ophthalmologist performs with the appropriate equipment. Although they will perform the measurement when there are symptoms, they may do so by routine check-ups in certain people at greater risk who do not yet have the disease.

Risk factors for all types of glaucoma

There are people who are at greater risk of developing one of the different types of glaucoma. In these patients, it is important to pay attention to the initial signs as well as to measure the pressure in the eye in adolescence.

A fundamental problem is that the risk increases with age. Adults over 40 gradually increase the likelihood of developing the disease as they age.

Family history is also an indicator. If a parent has had glaucoma of some form, it is likely that their child will get it too. However, they will not get it in childhood, but later as adults.

The connection with other eye disorders is also important. Myopia is a risk factor for getting glaucoma. Researchers estimate that myopic patients are twice as likely to increase their eye pressure than the rest of the population.

The most common types of glaucoma

As reported by the  National Eye Institute  , there are four common types of glaucoma. They are classified by the manner in which the drainage of fluid from the eye is prevented and by when they occur.

Open-angle glaucoma

It is the most widespread type of glaucoma in the world. What happens is  that it blocks the small exits that the eye uses to remove internal fluid. Due to an accumulation of fluid without any way out, the pressure inside the eye thus increases.

Its development is very slow, chronic and degenerative. Patients tend to discover it late, after some of the damage has already taken place. Because of this, it is often called silent blindness.

The treatment ranges from medication to surgery. There are also various surgical solutions that the ophthalmologist will choose.

Closed-angle glaucoma

The closed-angle type of glaucoma is much less common than the open-angle type. In addition, it tends to develop symptoms more acutely and more visibly than the previous type.

The name, closed-angle , refers to the measurement that the ophthalmologist makes of the angle formed by the iris and cornea. In this case, this value is less than what is considered normal, and  it is precisely this altered anatomy that blocks the natural drainage of fluid from the eye.

Medical care for this disorder must be given immediately. It gives less time to act than open-angle glaucoma, and the consequences can be more serious if you do not act quickly.

Cataracts with normal pressure

This type of glaucoma is the most rare. When the ophthalmologist measures the patient’s pressure in the eye, it is normal or perhaps even with low values.

But the damage to the optic nerve and the deterioration is there, as with the other types of glaucoma. Scientists do not know the  cause of this type of glaucoma with certainty and the treatment is difficult.

Congenital glaucoma

The congenital type of this disease appears because the  baby is born with an anomaly in the angle of the iris and cornea,  which prevents the normal development of the channels of drainage of fluid in the eye. From the beginning of life, the inner pressure in the eye thus increases.

The solution today is an early operation of the young child. That way, you can avoid serious complications in the future.

All types of glaucoma are serious

Although they are different, each type of glaucoma is severe. If you have any symptoms of vision loss, you should not delay going to an ophthalmologist.

The professional will measure the internal pressure in the eye and perform several examinations to evaluate the condition of the retina and optic nerve. If they notice a change, they may recommend the use of medication and perhaps surgery if necessary,