The trabecular meshwork can become scarred, resulting in chronic glaucoma, which is more difficult than open-angle glaucoma to control, and cataracts may form. Many acute attacks occur in darkened rooms, such as movie theaters. This further narrows the angle, perhaps triggering an attack. The pupil also dilates when someone becomes excited or anxious. Therefore, many acute glaucoma attacks occur during periods of stress.
Some drugs can also dilate the pupil and lead to an attack.
These drugs include anti-depressants, cold medications, antihistamines, and some drugs used to treat nausea. Congenital glaucoma Children with congenital glaucoma are born with defects in the angle of the eye that slow the normal drainage of fluid. The children usually have obvious symptoms such as cloudy eyes, sensitivity to light, and increased tearing. If surgery is done promptly, these children have a good chance of having good vision. Pigmentary glaucoma is an inherited open-angle glaucoma, seen more often in men than in women, especially in nearsighted people, in their 20s and 30s.