Glaucoma causes

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan Bir Singh, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

The four major types of glaucoma have their own unique causes. Open-angle glaucoma and congential tends to run in families and acute angle closure glaucoma occurs when the exit of the aqueous humor fluid is suddenly blocked and secondary glaucoma occurs as a result of complications of other medical conditions and/or procedures.

Causes

The four major types of glaucoma have their own unique causes. Specific causes by each major type of glaucoma are:

Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma

• The cause is unknown. An increase in eye pressure occurs slowly over time. The pressure pushes on the optic nerve and the retina at the back of the eye.
• Open-angle glaucoma tends to run in families. Your risk is higher if you have a parent or grandparent with open-angle glaucoma. People of African descent are at particularly high risk for this disease.

Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma

• It occurs when the exit of the aqueous humor fluid is suddenly blocked.
• Dilating eye drops and certain medications may trigger an acute glaucoma attack.
• Medication Side Effect- Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide, Paroxetine

Congenital glaucoma'

• It is present at birth and results from the abnormal development of the fluid outflow channels in the eye.
• It is often hereditary and tends to run in families.

Secondary glaucoma

• It is caused as complications of other medical conditions and/or procedures, including eye surgery, advanced cataracts, eye injuries, certain eye tumors, and uveitis.
• It can be caused by drugs such as corticosteroids, which are used to treat eye inflammations.
  • Pigmentary glaucoma is caused when pigment from the iris breaks off, thereby slowing the fluid drainage and blocking the meshwork.
  • Neovascular glaucoma is a severe form of secondary glaucoma that is linked to diabetes.

Drugs causing glaucoma

Common drugs causing glaucoma include:

• Carbinoxamine

• Difluprednate
• Dexamethasone
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Medrysone
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Rimexolone
• Scopolamine
• Umeclidinium