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What are the types of glaucoma?
Primary open angle glaucoma
Normal tension glaucoma
Acute glaucoma
Cortisone induced glaucoma
This is the most common type and the most insidious. It is often
regarded as the “quiet thief of vision”, in order to emphasize the
absence of pain, redness or any other symptoms.
In this type of
glaucoma the angle
(i.e. the drainage system for the aqueous humor)
is open but it gradually loses its drainage capability.
Some patients might appear with damage to the optic nerve
although the intraocular pressure is normal. In these cases the new
imaging technology can be of great help in the early diagnosis of
even the minor of optic nerve damage, preventing the disastrous
consequences before it is too late.
In certain people the iris is in very close proximity with the angle
of drainage, causing narrowing and reduction of its function. These
patients are usually
hypermetropic
(far-sighted) with small-sized
eyes. Under certain circumstances (e.g. darkness) the iris can move
even more anteriorly and cause full closure of the angle
(“closed
angle glaucoma”)
and an acute rise of intraocular pressure.
Symptoms are very profound and include excruciating pain,
deterioration of vision and color rainbow-like circles around lights.
These may also be accompanied by headache, nausea and/or
vomiting.
Acute glaucoma
is considered an emergency
and if not treated
immediately by a specialist ophthalmologist can lead to blindness
within few hours.
Cortisone intake
in whatever form
(skin cream, drops, injections or
inhalers) can cause a rise in intraocular pressure within a few days or
weeks due to the direct action these drugs have to the eyes drainage
system.
With the cessation of these medications the intraocular
