2 Types of Glaucoma and How They're Treated

Some 3 million Americans have glaucoma, a progressive eye condition that damages the optic nerve. Given that your optic nerves allow for communication between your retinas and brain, the damage can wreak havoc on your vision.

At our optometry office in Riverside, California, Dr. Richard Bozner and his expert team diagnose and treat glaucoma to help you preserve your vision and continue leading a full life.

Read on to learn about the most common types of glaucoma, as well as effective treatments.

Types of glaucoma

A variety of glaucoma types exist, all of which damage the optic nerve. They include:

• Closed-angle glaucoma
• Congenital glaucoma
• Exfoliative glaucoma 
• Normal tension glaucoma
• Open-angle glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma
• Traumatic glaucoma

Closed-angle and open-angle are the two most common types of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is more common than the closed-angle type.

Closed-angle glaucoma

Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when fluid is blocked and can’t flow out of your eye. As a result, you experience a rapid and severe increase in eye pressure.

Also considered acute glaucoma, closed-angle glaucoma requires emergency care. Without treatment, you could go blind within a few days.

Signs may include:

• A sense of eye swollenness
• Eye redness
• Severe, sudden pain in one eye
• Cloudy or decreased vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seeing colorful halos around lights

An acute glaucoma attack may stem from taking certain medications, such as alpha-2 agonists or beta blockers, or from dilating eye drops. If you experience acute symptoms in one eye, you have a heightened risk for the same in your other eye.

Open-angle glaucoma

The cause of open-angle glaucoma remains unknown. It varies from closed-angle glaucoma in that the eye pressure increases gradually. The progression is so slow that you’re unlikely to notice symptoms for some time. 

Eventually, the nerve damage causes blind spots in your vision. From there, vision challenges continue, usually peripheral vision loss. 

Risk factors for open-angle glaucoma include being of African descent or having a family history of glaucoma.

Treatment for glaucoma

Routine eye exams and visiting our office if you notice glaucoma signs are important for ensuring early diagnosis and care. While there’s no known cure for glaucoma, Dr. Bozner can help you slow the progression, lowering your risk of blindness.

Your treatment plan may include prescription eye drops or oral medications that reduce eye pressure, inflammation, or pain. Beta blockers can reduce excess fluid in your eye.

For advanced symptoms, Dr. Bozner may refer you to an ophthalmologist for minimally invasive surgery or laser therapy. 

To learn more about glaucoma or get the care you need, call Dr. Bozner's Vision Lab Optometry today.