Are there different kinds of glaucoma?
Yes. There are four main categories of glaucoma: Open angle glaucoma, closed angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma and congenital glaucoma. The angle is the drain that drains fluid from the eye. Open angle glaucoma occurs when the angle, or drain, is open but is not properly draining fluid because the “clog” in the drain is further down the drainpipe. Prior to severe visual loss, open angle glaucoma has no signs or symptoms. Most people are unaware of open angle glaucoma until the very late stages. Periodic eye exams are necessary for early glaucoma detection. Closed or narrow angle glaucoma occurs when the drain is functioning properly but is being blocked by another structure of the eye called the iris. This is usually an acute and very symptomatic form of glaucoma in which the pressure goes very high in a short time and causes redness, pain, and blurry vision. This must be treated quickly, or blindness may result within hours to days of the attack. It is usually easily treated or preve
