Types of Glaucoma

There are several types of glaucoma, including primary, secondary, childhood and normal-tension

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye rises enough to damage the optic nerve and impair vision. There are many types of glaucoma, though two main forms are considered primary.

Primary types of glaucoma

There are two primary types:

• Open-angle glaucoma: The most common form. Eye pressure increases slowly, leading to gradual vision loss that often begins with peripheral (side) vision. Most people do not notice symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred.
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma: A rare but serious condition in which eye pressure rises suddenly and must be treated quickly to prevent permanent vision loss. This is an eye emergency . Symptoms may include blurred vision, eye pain, headache, halos around lights, nausea and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, contact your ophthalmologist immediately. In rare cases, symptoms may not be noticeable.

Secondary glaucoma types

In addition to primary glaucoma, secondary types occur when an identifiable condition causes increased eye pressure. These include:

• Neovascular glaucoma: A rare form that can occur in people with diabetes or other vascular eye diseases. Abnormal blood vessels grow over drainage channels, making it difficult for fluid to exit the eye. Treatment often involves collaboration with a retinal specialist .
• Traumatic glaucoma: Caused by an eye injury, either immediately or years later. Risk factors include blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, severe nearsightedness and prior eye surgery.

Childhood glaucomas

In rare cases, glaucoma can affect children. Juvenile glaucoma develops during childhood and may have a strong genetic component. These cases often require a multidisciplinary approach involving both glaucoma specialists and pediatric ophthalmologists.

Congenital glaucoma appears at birth or within the first year of life and may present with noticeable signs, including:

• Tearing
• Light sensitivity
• Cloudiness of the cornea

Normal-tension glaucoma

Also known as low-tension or normal-pressure glaucoma, this form causes optic nerve damage even when intraocular pressure (IOP) is within the normal range. Lowering eye pressure is still an important part of treatment.

At Henry Ford, patients come first

The Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology is committed to providing compassionate, personalized care using the most advanced treatments available. We are dedicated to vision research and remain at the forefront of innovation. As one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the United States, we treat more than 55,000 patients each year at 12 locations throughout southeast Michigan. Our team also collaborates across specialties to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary care.