There are many types of glaucoma. When you see our glaucoma doctor in Los Angeles you will learn which is affecting you. These types are:
Primary open-angle glaucoma
The aqueous humor, which is the liquid covering the eye, flows out of the eye through web-like channels. These channels ensure that excessive pressure isn’t built on the optic nerve. The primary open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals in the eye do not work as they should and the pressure within the eye and on the optic nerve increases.
This is the most common and most chronic type of glaucoma. Over 3 million Americans are diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Primary angle-closure glaucoma
In this condition, the drainage canals in the eye are blocked by the iris and the pressure on the optic nerve is constantly high. The iris comes forward, away from its place, and closes-off the drainage canal.
Secondary glaucoma
When a different eye condition causes injury to the optic nerve or leads to an increase in pressure on the optic nerve, it results in secondary glaucoma. Here, glaucoma is a consequence of another serious eye condition. Our glaucoma doctor in Los Angeles will take a look to determine the proper treatment for this condition.
Congenital glaucoma
This glaucoma condition occurs in babies and children. It could either be hereditary or due to an eye condition or injury that occurs due to fetal abnormalities during the pregnancy.
Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome
This is a very rare type of glaucoma where cells on the posterior surface of the cornea disintegrate and bind like adhesions to the iris. This can cause the surface of the iris to get damaged while the drainage canals in the eyes become clogged.
Apart from the above conditions, glaucoma can also occur if a chemical is sprayed into the eye and burns the optic nerve. Additionally, any bacterial, viral or fungal infection in the eye may sometimes damage the optic nerve, causing glaucoma.