Are there different kinds of glaucoma?

Yes.
The most common type of glaucoma is called open-angled glaucoma
(about 90% of cases).

Open-angled glaucoma, although more common after 40 years of age, can occur at any age. Almost always there are no symptoms. The trabecular meshwork (part of the drainage system of the eye) typically has dysfunctional drainage ability.

Open-angle glaucoma: Restricted
drainage of aqueous fluid through the trabecular meshwork drainage tissue.

Closed or narrow angled glaucoma also exists. The “angle” refers to the drainage system in the front of the eye between the cornea and the iris. The eye produces internal fluid that needs to egress from the eye and this is done through a complex drain inside the eye at the angle of the junction of the iris and the cornea. We can look at this angle directly with a special contact lens that contains a mirror (gonioscopy).

Closed-angle glaucoma can be chronic or acute in nature. The acute form is an emergency because central vision can be lost quickly; this condition can have symptoms of blurred vision, headache and nausea (but not always).

Close-angle glaucoma: Restricted
drainage of aqueous fluid from blockage by the iris preventing access to the trabecular meshwork drainage tissue.

Both open- and closed-angle types of glaucoma are definitely different entities yet both still involve pressure as a risk factor and the patient can lose their visual field (side vision) and ultimately central vision. In general, all types of glaucoma involve poor drainage of the eye’s natural fluid (aqueous fluid).

|