Are there different types of glaucoma?

Glaucoma is occasionally detected in newborn babies, a condition called congenital glaucoma. The more common types of glaucoma develop in later life.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type in the United Kingdom and usually affects both eyes.

The drainage angle between the iris and the cornea is where the eye's drainage channels are found. This angle is normal or "open" in open-angle glaucoma. The aqueous fluid can reach the drainage channels but over many years the channels slowly become blocked. This causes a rise in pressure inside the eye.

For some people, glaucoma may develop even though the pressure may be normal - a condition called low or normal-tension glaucoma.

Angle-closure glaucoma is uncommon in the United Kingdom and usually affects one eye. It is caused by a sudden and more complete blockage to the flow of the fluid within the eye. This happens because the angle between the cornea and iris has closed, preventing fluid from reaching the drainage channels. Sudden or acute glaucoma can be quite painful and requires urgent or emergency treatment to relieve the pain and prevent sight loss