Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. It occurs when the fluid in your eye can’t drain fast enough, creating pressure that pushes on the optic nerve in the back of your eye.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Also known as narrow-angle or acute glaucoma, this type is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the outer edge of the iris blocks fluid from draining out of the front of the eye, causing a sudden increase in eye pressure.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma: This is a type of open-angle glaucoma that occurs in people with normal eye pressure. You may be at higher risk for normal-tension glaucoma if you have certain heart problems, low blood pressure, or a family history of the condition.
Congenital Glaucoma: This rare condition occurs in babies and is usually diagnosed within the first year of life. It’s often caused by a defect in the angle of the eye that slows or prevents normal fluid drainage.
Secondary Glaucomas: These types of glaucoma occur as a result of another medical condition or use of certain medications. Conditions that can lead to secondary glaucoma include uveitis (an inflammatory disease that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues), diabetes, and certain tumors.
Neovascular Glaucoma: This is a type of secondary glaucoma that is often associated with diabetes or certain forms of retinal disease.
Pigmentary Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma typically affects young, white men and is caused by pigment granules in the back of the iris breaking into the clear fluid produced inside the eye.
Exfoliation Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma involves a genetic factor and is characterized by the accumulation of a whitish, dandruff-like material on the lens, ciliary body, and other areas of the anterior segment of the eye.