Answer: Open-angle glaucoma, also called chronic glaucoma, is what the majority of glaucoma patients suffer from. In this condition, aqueous fluid does not drain well out of the eye. One theory is that the trabecular meshwork filter may have microscopic particles clogging it and slowing down fluid movement.
Closed angle glaucoma, also called acute glaucoma, is an ophthalmologic emergency. This occurs when the iris bows forward and completely blocks fluid access to the trabecular meshwork entirely. The pressure builds up in a positive feedback loop, the patient has excruciating eye pain, and vision is lost quickly.
If you want to use an analogy, think of the eye as a kitchen sink. In chronic open-angle glaucoma, there is debris in the pipes (rust, food, hair) that slows down drainage of fluid. We treat this by giving medications that work like drain-o. With acute glaucoma, there is a rubber stopper floating around in the bottom of the sink that suddenly blocks the drain. Water quickly rises and overflows the sink. We treat this by punching a hole in the rubber stopper (a laser iridotomy).
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