A refractive procedure is a surgical or laser-based treatment aimed at correcting common vision problems, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. The goal of refractive procedures is to improve visual acuity, reduce dependence on corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses), and enhance overall clarity of vision. These procedures work by reshaping the cornea (the transparent front part of the eye) or by implanting intraocular lenses (IOLs) inside the eye to adjust the way light enters the eye and focuses on the retina. Some common refractive procedures include LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), and implantation of multifocal or accommodating intraocular lenses during cataract surgery. Refractive procedures are elective and are typically chosen by individuals seeking to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contacts. It's important for individuals considering these procedures to undergo a thorough eye examination and consultation with an eye care professional to determine the most suitable option based on their specific eye health and visual needs.

There are several types of glaucoma. The two main types are open-angle and angle-closure. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye.

Refractive procedures are typically considered when an individual experiences common vision problems such as: Nearsightedness (Myopia): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Farsightedness (Hyperopia): Difficulty seeing close-up objects clearly. Astigmatism: Blurred or distorted vision due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty in focusing on close-up objects, typically occurring after the age of 40. Individuals who find these vision issues bothersome and want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses may consider refractive procedures. It's essential to undergo a thorough eye examination and consultation with an eye care professional to determine if a refractive procedure is suitable for the individual's eye health and visual needs. Refractive procedures are elective, and the decision to undergo them is often based on personal preferences and lifestyle factors. It's important to have realistic expectations about the outcomes of these procedures and to be well-informed about the potential risks and benefits.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma, a less common form of glaucoma:
1. Is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure
2. Has a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea
3. Develops very quickly
4. Has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable.
5. Demands immediate medical attention.

It is also called acute glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. Unlike open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma is a result of the angle between the iris and cornea closing.
Normal-Tension Glaucoma (NTG)
Also called low-tension or normal-pressure glaucoma. In normal-tension glaucoma the optic nerve is damaged even though the eye pressure is not very high. We still don’t know why some people’s optic nerves are damaged even though they have almost normal pressure levels.
Congenital Glaucoma
This type of glaucoma occurs in babies when there is incorrect or incomplete development of the eye’s drainage canals during the prenatal period. This is a rare condition that may be inherited. When uncomplicated, microsurgery can often correct the structural defects. Other cases are treated with medication and surgery.
Other Types of Glaucoma
Variants of open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma include:
Inflammatory Glaucoma
With inflammatory glaucoma the inflammation can either raise or lower the IOP (intraocular pressure). Inflammation causes white cells to form in the liquid in the front of the eye. The cells get trapped in the trabecular meshwork (the “drain”), blocking it. The fluid also becomes thicker and less likely to pass through the drain, and the trabecular beams that make up the drain swell, making the pores between them smaller. Inflammation can also release prostaglandins that increase the flow of fluid out of the eye between the muscle bundles of the eye.
Traumatic Glaucoma
Traumatic glaucoma can occur when trauma injures the trabecular meshwork, the “drain” in the eye. Scarring ensues, and the drain works less well. Early on, blood and inflammatory material can also block the trabecular meshwork. Often there are signs of injury to the drain in the eye. One sign is called an angle recession. With this sign, the iris root is pulled posteriorly away from the trabecular meshwork. That is easily seen during gonioscopy. There is at least a five percent chance that someone with serious eye trauma and an angle recession will develop glaucoma later in life, even if the glaucoma is not present for several years after the trauma.
Pigmentary Glaucoma
Pigmentary glaucoma is a secondary glaucoma caused by an accumulation of pigment in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, blocking the outflow of fluid. Pigmentary glaucoma is usually found in near-sighted individuals in their late twenties to early forties and is more common in males than in females.
ICE Syndrome
Iridocorneal Endothelial syndrome or ICE syndrome is a grouping of three closely linked conditions: iris nevus (or Cogan-Reese) syndrome; Chandler’s syndrome; and essential (progressive) iris atrophy, which together also spell the acronym ICE. ICE syndrome is caused by the diseased lining of the cornea, which grows over the drain in the eye, blocking it, and over the iris, causing stretching and a lack of blood supply.
1. Secondary Glaucoma
2. Pigmentary Glaucoma
3. Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma
4. Traumatic Glaucoma
5. Neovascular Glaucoma
6. Irido Corneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE)