Glaucoma Week Series episode 7 ( Types of Glaucoma)

Optom
Glaucoma classifications could be based on the size of the angle between the corneal endothelium and anterior portion of the fenestrated iris. This angle is a passage way to the trabecular meshwork, which contributes about 90% of total aqueous humor drainage. Hence, it could be, 1)Open angle glaucoma, & 2) Closed angle glaucoma. The former, as the name denotes, has a clear passage way to the trabecular meshwork when viewed through a Gionoscope lens on a slit lamp bi-microscope. Therefore the cause of this type of Glaucoma is not related to resistance to drainage per say, it often times result as a brake down in the physiology of the trabecular meshwork or as a result of some subtle factors that often results to disk excavation and death of ganglion cell fibres of the Retina.
The Open angle type of Glaucoma shows little or no symptom in early stages and its often always bilateral. This type of Glaucoma rarely affects children! It contributes almost 85% or more of the total glaucoma cases. It is common in the black race.
The later, Closed Angle Glaucoma, often blocks or reduces the passage way to the trabecular meshwork. It shows severe symptoms ranging from redness, pains, epiphora (excessive tearing), photophobia, haziness of the cornea etc It often affects one eye @ a time and causes a lot of discomfort to the person.
Glaucoma could classified according to a precursor. If there is a known secondary cause such as the use of topical steroids, ocular trauma, Diabetes, Hyptertension, cataract etc, such Glaucoma is known as secondary Glaucoma. This type of Glaucoma is common in adults above 60 years. While primary Glaucoma often has no known precursor (i.e. the person's eyes do not have any pre-existing ocular problem).
Glaucoma could be classified depending on mode of onset, hence a sudden symptom of Glaucoma denotes acute Glaucoma, while the type of Glaucoma that does not present symptoms in time suggests a chronic Glaucoma. It should be noted that Acute Glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma are similar also some secondary Glaucoma mimic acute onset glaucoma. And chronic glaucoma is similar to open angle Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is very dangerous but very tricky to identify, hence it becomes imperative for you to go for constant eye check to enable one identify the disease in time!
Glaucoma is a killer...be wary of it!
To be continued.....
Dr Ezebuiroh Victor Okwudiri.