Why is eye pressure high in glaucoma?
For practical purposes, almost all glaucomas result from a decreased ability of fluid to leave the eye; the drainage mechanism is not working properly. A commonly used analogy is a faucet and a drain. In glaucoma the faucet is producing the correct amount of fluid, but the drain is not working properly so too much fluid accumulates within the eye and the pressure rises. Open-angle glaucoma versus angle-closure glaucoma Glaucoma can be separated into two categories. In open-angle, drain of the eye (the trabecular meshwork) is visible to the doctor inspecting the eye, and although it appears normal, it does not function normally. Because the trabecular meshwork is open and visible, the glaucoma is called open-angle. In angle-closure glaucoma the iris (the colored part of the eye) physically obstructs the drain of the eye. When the doctor looks in at the drain, he is unable to see it, because the iris is in the way. The iris is blocking the drain. This is why this type of glaucoma is call
