Which type of glaucoma is most prevalent and commonly understood?

Open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent type of glaucoma and is widely recognized in both medical literature and public understanding. This condition occurs when the drainage angle in the eye remains open, but the trabecular meshwork — the tissue responsible for draining aqueous humor — becomes less efficient over time. This gradual decrease in drainage leads to increased intraocular pressure, which can eventually damage the optic nerve and result in vision loss if left untreated.

What adds to the common understanding of open-angle glaucoma is that it often has no early symptoms, making regular eye examinations crucial for early detection. The condition generally develops slowly, allowing it to progress unnoticed until significant vision changes occur. This contrasts with closed-angle glaucoma, which can present more acutely with sudden symptoms, making it less prevalent in terms of overall cases compared to open-angle glaucoma.

Congenital and secondary glaucoma are less common and often recognized in specific populations or as results of other conditions, which makes them less familiar to the general population than the open-angle type.