Glaucoma is a complicated condition with several different types. The most common form of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma threatens your vision permanently, while also being almost undetectable. It does not cause any pain or other noticeable symptoms.

It causes you to lose your sight so slowly that you may not even know that it is worse until it is too late. To detect glaucoma, you need to schedule regular eye appointments.

You can do this right now at Vision Care of Maine, located in Bangor, ME.

While the most common form of glaucoma has no symptoms, there are other kinds of glaucoma. Keep reading to learn more about them!

Narrow-Angle Glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma happens because fluid inside of the eye becomes slowed down. This is usually due to a slight clogging of the drainage meshwork.

This causes pressure to slowly build up, damaging the optic nerve in the process. The optic nerve is a vital line of communication between your eye and your brain.

It can be quite resilient, but the ever-increasing pressure of the eye will eventually wear on it.

Contrast this kind of glaucoma with the more dangerous, narrow-angle glaucoma. In this kind of glaucoma, the drainage system is completely cut off.

Narrow-angle glaucoma causes eye pressure to spike sharply in a very short amount of time. This causes symptoms like extraordinary pain, severe headaches, nausea, and seeing rainbow-like halos.

This kind of glaucoma is a medical emergency. You should seek emergency care immediately if you are experiencing these symptoms.

Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Glaucoma is usually identified by detecting an elevated level of eye pressure. In rare cases, glaucoma can even occur in eyes that have what seems like normal eye pressure.

This is a kind of glaucoma called normal-tension glaucoma. Normal-tension glaucoma seems to occur due to having an oversensitive optic nerve. It seems that having a low blood supply to the optic nerve may also play a role.

Secondary Glaucoma

In some cases, glaucoma can develop as part of another condition. This includes chronic inflammation, severe eye injuries, and tumors. If this happens, you have secondary glaucoma.

How To Treat Glaucoma

To combat glaucoma, you need to reduce internal eye pressure levels. This is generally accomplished with medicated eye drops that relieve pressure.

They do this by relaxing muscles inside of the eye or by reducing the production of fluid inside of the eye. These drops may be taken in tandem with oral pills that enhance the effects.

Depending on the severity of your glaucoma, you may need surgery. You’ll need to continue taking eye drops after to maintain healthy eye pressure.

Any damage done by glaucoma is permanent, including vision loss. The earlier you get it under control, the more vision you will be able to save.

Concerned that you may have glaucoma? Schedule an appointment at Vision Care of Maine in Bangor, ME today! Your eyesight and being able to see is worth it, so don’t delay!