Pressure will build in the eye when fluid isn’t circulating properly in the anterior chamber, or the front of the eye. Aqueous humor doesn’t flow properly through the mesh-work structures, and can result in a blockage. This is also known as open-angle glaucoma and is the most common type. With open-angle glaucoma, the structures of the eye appear normal, but are blocked. The cause of this blockage is not known and usually affects both eyes to varying degrees. Known causes of blockage include trauma to the eye (blunt or chemical injury), history of surgery to the eye, infection, occlusion of ocular blood vessels, inflammation, and steroid use.
The second type of glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma. This type is less common and is caused by a narrow angle between the cornea and the iris which closes off the mesh-work like structure causing a blockage. Angle-closure glaucoma usually happens acutely and is associated with rapid cataract development or being far sighted.
Sometimes, intraocular pressure can increase to critical levels resulting in sudden eye pain, headache or brow pain, blurry vision or halos around lights. Redness of the eye, tunnel vision, nausea, vomiting along with the previously mentioned symptoms should not be ignored and brought to your eye care specialist immediately.