| > | | | | 3. Secondary glaucoma |
| One of the most common causes of blindness for | | | | Congenital glaucoma is rare and affects infants. |
| people aged over forty years is glaucoma and it | | | | These children are normally diagnosed by the age |
| affects around one in fifty people in this age | | | | of one and are usually born with a defect in the |
| group. People are often unaware that they even | | | | drainage system of the eye. |
| have this condition as they may not suffer from | | | | Pigmentary glaucoma is also rare and happens |
| any obvious symptoms. Nonetheless, it is | | | | when the pigment from the iris blocks the |
| important that it is detected early to avoid | | | | drainage system. The system is eventually |
| severe deterioration of sight. | | | | damaged because of the inflammation caused by |
| The eye is separated into anterior and posterior | | | | this condition. |
| chambers by the lens and by a muscle, called the | | | | Secondary glaucoma is normally caused by injury, |
| ciliary muscle, which supports it. There is also a | | | | infection, tumor, inflammation or and enlarged |
| structure called the ciliary body which | | | | cataract. Any of these conditions can lead to |
| manufactures a fluid called aqueous humor that | | | | secondary glaucoma. |
| fills the anterior chamber. This needs to be | | | | Often, people with glaucoma don’t even |
| continuously drained and, when glaucoma is | | | | realize that they have a problem as there are no |
| present, this does not happen. This causes | | | | obvious symptoms. The eyesight deteriorates so |
| pressure in the eyeball to rise, thus causing | | | | gradually that it is often unnoticed. The only real |
| problems with sight. | | | | way of knowing that glaucoma is present is by a |
| There are three major types of glaucoma and | | | | physical examination of the eye by a doctor or |
| they are as follows: | | | | optometrist who may be able to see the problem |
| 1. Angle closure glaucoma | | | | by examining the eye with an ophthalmoscope. |
| 2. Open angle glaucoma, and | | | | An optometrist may notice if there are any areas |
| 3. Narrow angle glaucoma | | | | of blindness in the part of the eye that is not |
| The angle is where the iris meets the cornea. It is | | | | used for detailed vision. This is the area affected |
| also where the fluid drains from the eye. | | | | with glaucoma initially. The area of the eye used |
| In angle closure glaucoma, the angle gets blocked. | | | | for detailed vision is not affected at first and this |
| Fluid continues to be made but is unable to drain. | | | | is why people don’t notice the onset of |
| Because of this, the pressure in the eye builds up | | | | glaucoma for some time. |
| to a level which is harmful. | | | | Treatment usually consists of drops that are |
| With open angle glaucoma, the angle stays open | | | | placed in the eye three or four times daily to |
| but fluid builds up when the structure at the back | | | | improve the rate of fluid drainage. Sometimes, |
| of the angle becomes blocked. | | | | surgery may be required to create a new outlet |
| Narrow angle glaucoma is a condition where the | | | | for the fluid. Treatment does not always work |
| iris and the lens touch, trapping fluid. The iris | | | | and, in some cases, the person may become |
| bulges forward, effectively closing off the | | | | progressively blind no matter what treatment is |
| drainage angle and causing acute glaucoma. | | | | used. Once sight has been lost, it cannot be |
| Other types of glaucoma include: | | | | restored, so early diagnosis and treatment are |
| 1. Congenital glaucoma | | | | essential. |
| 2. Pigmentary glaucoma, and | | | | |