Table of contents:
- What are the classifications and types of glaucoma?
- 1. Open-angle glaucoma
- 2. Angle closure glaucoma
- 3. Congenital glaucoma
- 4. Normal pressure glaucoma
- 5. Neovascular glaucoma
- 6. Glaucoma pigmentation
- 7. Glaucoma uveitis
Glaucoma is a disease that can damage the nerves in the eye. This disease usually occurs due to a buildup of fluid in the eye, which causes eye pressure to increase and has an impact on eye nerve damage. The causes of increased pressure in the eye vary, so glaucoma can be divided into various types. To find out what are the classifications of glaucoma, see the review below.
What are the classifications and types of glaucoma?
When traced from the cause of glaucoma itself, this disease can be divided into 2 types, namely primary and secondary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma is a type of disease with no known exact cause, while secondary type is usually triggered by another disease or health condition.
From this classification, glaucoma can still be classified into various classifications and types. Each has different symptoms and causes. To find out what types of glaucoma exist, here's an explanation:
1. Open-angle glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma, or primary open-angle glaucoma, is the most common type. According to an article from British Journal of Ophthalmology In 2010, an estimated 44.7 million people worldwide have open-angle glaucoma, and 4.5 million of them are blind.
Until now, experts do not know what causes the increased pressure in the eye in cases of open-angle glaucoma. Therefore, open-angle glaucoma is classified as a primary classification.
In open-angle glaucoma, the angle in the eye where the iris (the colored part of the eye circle) meets the cornea is wide open as is normal. However, the drainage of the eye fluid becomes blocked over time. As a result, the fluid builds up on the inside of the eye and causes high eye pressure.
Most people with open-angle glaucoma do not feel significant signs and symptoms, so sometimes they don't realize they have glaucoma. That is why it is very important to have regular eye health checks to prevent further eye damage from this disease.
2. Angle closure glaucoma
Angle closure glaucoma is a type of glaucoma in which the iris of the eye protrudes, causing a blockage at the angle between the iris and the cornea. As a result, eye fluids cannot be discharged into the drainage (where the fluid in the eye is drained) properly and increase the pressure in the eye.
Angle closure glaucoma can occur suddenly and briefly (acute), or last for a long time (chronic). This condition is usually characterized by symptoms of severe eye pain, nausea, red eyes, and blurry vision.
The difference between open and closed angle glaucoma is the condition of the angle where the iris and cornea meet in the eye. However, both open and closed angle glaucoma are at risk of blindness if not treated properly.
3. Congenital glaucoma
Some people live with glaucoma from birth. Babies who have had glaucoma since birth can be called congenital glaucoma. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 10,000 newborns have eye defects, so that the eye fluid cannot be wasted properly and the pressure on the eyes increases.
In cases of congenital glaucoma, you can usually immediately notice the signs and symptoms, especially if they occur in children. Some of the symptoms of congenital cataracts in children include:
- There is a cloudy spot on the eye
- The eye is more sensitive to light
- The eyes water more easily
- Eyes appear larger than normal
Apart from congenital glaucoma, there are other classifications of glaucoma that can affect infants and children. Any type of glaucoma found in infants and children is called pediatric glaucoma.
4. Normal pressure glaucoma
At this point, you might think that glaucoma can only occur when the pressure in the eyeball increases. It turns out that even eyes with normal pressure can experience this problem. This condition is called normal pressure glaucoma.
Normal pressure glaucoma (normal tension glaucoma) occurs when the optic nerve is damaged even though the pressure in the eye is within the normal range.
It is not certain what causes this type of normal pressure glaucoma. It could be because the optic nerve in the eye is too sensitive or fragile, so even normal pressure can be damaged. This condition can also be caused by a lack of blood supply to the optic nerve.
In the early stages, you may not feel any interference. However, gradually you may experience symptoms of partial vision loss, which can potentially lead to total blindness if not treated by doctors and the medical team immediately.
5. Neovascular glaucoma
The next classification of glaucoma is referred to as the neovascular type. Neovascular glaucoma occurs when the eye has excess blood vessels. These blood vessels can cover the part of the eye that should drain the eye fluid into drainage. As a result, the pressure in the eyes increases.
Symptoms are similar to other types of glaucoma, such as eye pain, blurred vision, and red eyes. Neovascular glaucoma is usually caused by another pre-existing disease, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.
6. Glaucoma pigmentation
This type of glaucoma occurs when the pigment or color in the iris of your eye breaks and leaves the iris. Pigment that is released from the iris can cover the eye fluid ducts, so that the pressure in the eye becomes high.
People who have myopic eyes are much more at risk of developing pigmented glaucoma. Symptoms can include blurred vision, or seeing a rainbow-colored ring, especially when you see the light directly.
7. Glaucoma uveitis
As the name suggests, glaucoma uveitis usually occurs in people who have uveitis, a type of inflammation that occurs in the eye. About 2 in 10 people with uveitis can develop this type of glaucoma.
Experts don't know exactly how uveitis causes glaucoma. However, it is suspected that glaucoma occurs due to inflammation of the tissue in the middle of the eye. As a result, the part of the eye that should be where the fluid is wasted experiences a blockage. In some cases, this condition can also be exacerbated by taking corticosteroid drugs.
Glaucoma treatment will depend on the severity of the disease that the patient has. Most cases of glaucoma, regardless of disease classification, can usually be treated with drugs, lasers, and surgical procedures such as trabeculectomy.
To maintain eye health in the long term as a form of glaucoma prevention, make sure you undergo regular eye examinations. This will minimize your chances of having eye problems.
