The Types of Glaucoma and Treatment

These are the main types of glaucoma:

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG)

• This is the most common type in Caucasians.
• Characterized by high intraocular (eye) pressure.
• Treated with pressure-lowering eye drops, a special type of laser surgery or major surgery to form a new drainage channel in the eye.

Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG)

• The intraocular pressure is normal.
• Strong correlation to sleep apnea, a sleep disorder in which patients cease breathing while asleep.
• Treated the same as Primary Open Angle Glaucoma POAG.

Narrow Angle Glaucoma (NAG)

• Most common in Asians.
• Also more common in farsighted patients.
• Symptoms may include headaches when in the dark.
• Caused by restricted path for outflow (narrow anterior chamber angle) of eye fluid (aqueous).
• Treated with a special type of laser surgery.

Pigmentary Glaucoma (PG)

• Caused by pigment clogging up the "drain" (trabeculum) of the eye fluid (aqueous).
• Clue is deposit of pigment on the back of the cornea (Krukenberg spindle).
• Sometimes worse after exercise or exertion. Symptoms may involve temporary blurred vision or headache.
• Treatment includes a variety of laser procedures (laser trabeculoplasty) and sometimes pressure-lowering prescription eye drops.

Pseudo-Exfoliative Glaucoma (PXG)

• Caused by a systemic condition that causes build-up of an abnormal material (exfoliative material) in the drain of the eye (trabeculum).
• Coats the lens and other eye structures.
• More difficult to control than some of the other types.
• Also makes cataract surgery more difficult.

Neovascular Glaucoma

• Secondary to another condition.
• Caused by breakdown of circulation in the eye.
• Relatively common in diabetes (also see diabetic retinopathy), retinal vascular occlusions (central retinal vein occlusion, central retinal artery occlusion, ocular ischemic syndrome).
• Treatment often includes laser treatment of the retina (pan-retinal photocoagulation) and injections of anti-VEGF drugs like Avastin or Lucentis.

Related Information

For more detailed information about glaucoma, the characteristics, treatment options and glaucoma surgery, also see:

• What is Glaucoma?
• Treating Glaucoma and Glaucoma Surgery