Primary Congenital Glaucoma Topic Guide

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a rapid or sudden increase in pressure inside the eye, called intraocular pressure (IOP). Symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma severe eye pain, nausea and vomiting, headache, blurred vision and/or seeing haloes around lights, profuse tearing. The condition requires treatment by an ophthalmologist which may include medication, surgery, or a combination approach.

Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss. Various exams and tests are used to diagnose the disease.

Angle recession glaucoma refers to a group of ocular disorders that occur after the eye undergoes trauma. Following this trauma, different mechanisms can cause an abnormal elevation of pressure inside the eye. An ophthalmologist diagnoses angle recession glaucoma using special instruments. Treatment may include eye drops, medication, laser surgery, or conventional incisional surgery. Taking steps to prevent traumatic eye injury is the best way to prevent angle recession glaucoma.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US and worldwide. Diabetic eye disease is a complication from diabetes. Types of diabetic eye disease include blindness, background diabetic retinopathy, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy includes blurry or hazy vision, difficulty focusing, and night glare from oncoming lights. Causes of diabetic eye disease occur over time due to hypoglycemia (high blood sugar) and other abnormalities in metabolism found in people with diabetes. Treatment for diabetes eye problems depends on the type of eye problem. Medication and surgery for diabetes eye problems may be necessary in addition to lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking.

Glaucoma can be caused by a number of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve, typically by elevating pressure inside the eye, which is called intraocular pressure (IOP) or ocular hypertension. Symptoms begin slowly and include vision loss and irregularities, eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Beta-blockers, Alpha-adrenergic agonists, and prostaglandin analogs are drugs used to treat glaucoma. Sometimes surgery is necessary, especially with congenital glaucoma. The disease is not curable but can be managed.

Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss. While high pressure inside the eye, damage to the optic nerve and vision loss are common criteria for diagnosing glaucoma, glaucoma can be present without all three of these criteria. The two main types of glaucoma are open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Glaucoma may be symptomless until significant permanent vision damage has occured, but may show symptoms as well, including pain, redness, haloes, and blurred vision.

Glaucoma is a disease characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). (Intraocular means within the eye.) Increased intraocular pressure results from either increased production or decreased drainage of aqueous humor. Treatment for glaucoma can include medication and/or surgery to lower the intraocular pressure.

Lens-particle glaucoma is a form of glaucoma that occurs due to leakage of material from the inside of the lens of the eye. It may be caused be trauma, surgery, or inflammation. Signs and symptoms of lens-particle glaucoma may include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, headache, redness, and tearing. The condition is diagnosed by ophthalmologic evaluation. Treatment may include eyedrops to control eye pressure and inflammation.

Normal-tension glaucoma or low-tension glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged despite normal fluid pressure inside the eye (other types of glaucoma result vision loss because of abnormally high pressure inside the eye. Normal-tension glaucoma typically occurs in older adults and can be caused by congenital nerve defects and irregularities in blood flow to the eye. Eyedrops and surgery are treatments for this disorder.

Glaucoma describes chronic high pressure within the eyeball. The pressure eventually causes nerve damage, though glaucoma can still occur without elevated pressure. Primary open-angle glaucoma is a subtype of the disease characterized by atrophy of the optic disc in the back oif the eye and other problems.

Early glaucoma usually has few symptoms, but the buildup of pressure in the eye over time leads to slow vision loss starting with peripheral vision.