Secondary glaucoma

Purpose: To review the common causes of secondary glaucoma. Methods: Review of current literature. Results: Secondary open and closed angle glaucomas are an important cause of ocular morbidity and vision loss in our community. Secondary glaucoma occurs with acquired ocular diseases (pigment dispersion, pseudoexfoliation, intraocular infection, intraocular inflammation and retinal vascular disease), blunt anterior segment injury, intraocular surgery (especially corneal grafting and congenital cataract surgery) and topical corticosteroid use. The medical treatment of secondary glaucoma is different from that of primary open angle glaucoma and must be tailored for the individual patient. Surgical treatment of secondary glaucoma carries a higher risk of complications and a lower rate of success than does surgical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma. Conclusions: Secondary glaucoma occurs with a variety of intraocular conditions and after a variety of intraocular insults. Awareness of patients at high risk should enable early detection and referral for appropriate management.