The front of the eye is constantly producing a fluid called aqueous humor.  A healthy eye will continually produce small amounts of aqueous humor to ensure consistent pressure within the eye.  When normal drainage becomes slowed or blocked, pressure increases, and may lead to glaucoma.  There are several different types of glaucoma the two most common types being chronic open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease and usually develops with age.  With this type of glaucoma, pressure gradually increases around the eye causing it to work less effectively over a period of time.  There are no symptoms in the early stages of open-angle glaucoma.  Peripheral vision is usually the first to deteriorate.  As the disease becomes more advanced, blank spots begin to appear in one’s vision.  If left untreated, it eventually develops to blindness.  The best way to avoid serious vision loss is early diagnosis and treatment.

Risk factors for chronic open-angle glaucoma include:

• Advanced age.
• Family history of the disease.
• Higher-than-normal intraocular pressure.
• Certain ethnic races, particularly those of African descent.
• Certain diseases or conditions, especially diabetes, farsightedness or nearsightedness, or previous eye trauma or surgery.

Closed-angle glaucoma is less prevalent, but is considered a real eye emergency.  This type of glaucoma occurs when a patient’s pupil moves or dilates and actually blocks off the drainage angles in the eye.  This is considered a medical emergency in which an ophthalmologist should be contacted immediately to avoid any loss of vision.

Symptoms of closed-angle glaucoma include:

• Severe eye pain.
• Headache.
• Blurred vision.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Rainbow halos around lights.

High risk factors for closed-angle glaucoma include:

• Extreme farsightedness.
• An iris that is abnormally large or far back in the eye.
• Advanced age.
• Heredity.
• Certain ethnic races, especially Asians.