Glaucoma is similar to ocular hypertension but with accompanying optic nerve damage and vision loss. Glaucoma affects an estimated 3 million Americans, with 120,000 blind due to the condition. Elsewhere in the world, glaucoma treatment is less available, and glaucoma ranks as a leading cause of blindness just about everywhere. Even if people with glaucoma do not become blind, vision can be severely impaired. There are two major types of glaucoma: chronic or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and acute closed-angle glaucoma. Other variations include congenital glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma and secondary glaucoma. Glaucoma Signs and Symptoms Chronic glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma or POAG) is often called "the silent thief of sight" because you have no warning sign, no hint that anything is wrong. About half of Americans with chronic glaucoma don't know they have it. Glaucoma gradually reduces your peripheral vision, but by the time you notice it, permanent damage has already occurred. If your IOP remains high, the destruction can progress until tunnel vision develops, and you will only be able to see objects that are straight ahead. An acute attack of narrow-angle glaucoma, also termed acute angle-closure glaucoma or acute closed-angle glaucoma, produces sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, haloes around lights, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting. These signs may last for a few hours, then return again for another round. Each attack takes with it part of your field of vision. Other signs include headaches, blurred vision, difficulty adapting to darkness, or haloes around lights. Chronic glaucoma normally develops after age 35. Like POAG, normal-tension glaucoma (also termed normal-pressure glaucoma, low-tension glaucoma or low-pressure glaucoma) is an open-angle type of glaucoma that can cause visual field loss due to optic nerve damage, but in normal-tension glaucoma, the eye's IOP remains in the normal range. Chronic narrow-angle glaucoma, like open-angle Glaucoma, can be symptomless until vision loss occurs. Glaucoma refers to a group of disorders that lead to damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve causes vision loss, which may progress to blindness. Most people with glaucoma have increased fluid pressure in the eye, a condition known as increased intraocular pressure. Causes, incidence, and risk factors San Clemente Laguna Hills Aliso Viejo Irvine Newport Beach Orange County Mission Viejo Dana Point San Juan Capistrano Laguna Beach Lake Forest Capistrano Beach Laguna Niguel Rancho Santa Margarita Trabuco Canyon Laguna Woods FootHill Ranch Costa Mesa Ladera Ranch Corona Del Mar Huntington Beach Orange County California Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the US. There are four major types of glaucoma: Open angle (chronic) glaucoma Angle closure (acute) glaucoma Congenital glaucoma Secondary glaucoma All four types of glaucoma are characterized by increased pressure within the eyeball, and therefore all can cause progressive damage to the optic nerve. Open angle (chronic) glaucoma is by far the most common type of glaucoma. The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called the aqueous humor. This fluid is constantly made in the back of the eye. It leaves the eye through channels in the anterior (front) chamber of the eye, and eventually drains into the bloodstream. The channels that drain the aqueous humor are in an area called the anterior chamber angle, or simply the angle. In open angle glaucoma, the channels in the angle gradually narrow with time, making it hard for the fluid to drain properly. The buildup of fluid causes increased pressure in the eye. This increased pressure pushes on the junction of the optic nerve and the retina at the back of the eye, reducing the blood supply to the optic nerve. As the optic nerve deteriorates due to decreased blood supply, blind spots develop in the field of vision. Peripheral (side) vision is affected first. This is usually not noticed until quite a bit of vision is lost. If the disease is not diagnosed and treated, a lot of vision may be lost before the person becomes aware of a problem. Open angle glaucoma tends to run in families. Your risk is higher if you have a parent or grandparent with open angle glaucoma. People of African descent are at particularly high risk for this disease. Angle closure (acute) glaucoma is caused by a shift in the position of the iris of the eye that suddenly blocks the exit of the aqueous humor fluid. This causes a quick, severe, and painful rise in the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). Most people with angle closure glaucoma will also have redness and swelling in the affected eye. Nausea and vomiting may occur. Angle closure glaucoma is an emergency. This is very different from open angle Glaucoma, which painlessly and slowly damages vision. If you have had acute glaucoma in one eye, you are almost certainly at risk for an attack in the second eye, and your doctor is likely to recommend preventive treatment. Dilating eye drops and certain systemic medications may trigger an acute glaucoma attack if you are at risk. Secondary glaucoma is caused by other diseases, including eye diseases such as uveitis, systemic diseases, and drugs such as corticosteroids. Congenital glaucoma, which is present at birth, is the result of abnormal development of the fluid outflow channels of the eye. Surgery is required for correction. Congenital glaucoma is often hereditary. Open angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of the disease. See animation. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If the high pressure is not reduced within hours, it can permanently damage vision. Anyone who experiences its symptoms should immediately contact an ophthalmologist or go to a hospital emergency room. It's difficult to spot signs for congenital glaucoma because the children are too young to understand. If you notice a cloudy, white, hazy, enlarged or protruding eye, consult your eye doctor. Congenital glaucoma occurs more in boys than girls. Pigmentary glaucoma often exhibits no symptoms at all. You may notice some pain and blurry vision after exercise. Pigmentary glaucoma affects mostly white males in their mid-30s to mid-40s. Symptoms of chronic glaucoma following an eye injury could indicate secondary glaucoma. San Clemente Laguna Hills Aliso Viejo Irvine Newport Beach Orange County Mission Viejo Dana Point San Juan Capistrano Laguna Beach Lake Forest Capistrano Beach Laguna Niguel Rancho Santa Margarita Trabuco Canyon Laguna Woods FootHill Ranch Costa Mesa Ladera Ranch Corona Del Mar Huntington Beach Orange County California