Secondary glaucomas are those conditions for which another ocular pathology accounts for the glaucoma. The mechanism in secondary glaucoma may be open angle, angle closure or both. Secondary glaucoma increased intraocular pressure due to disease or injury to the eye. Glaucoma comprises a diverse group of conditions with characteristic optic nerve head damage and corresponding visual field defects with some relation to intraocular pressure. In addition to the lowering of intraocular pressure by using the entire antiglaucoma armamentarium the underlying ocular pathology also needs to be treated. Secondary glaucoma is glaucoma that develops from an identifiable source. Secondary glaucoma occurs because of a known medical problem, meaning that it is secondary to another issue. Secondary glaucoma can range from mild to severe, and onsets are a result of a rise in intraocular pressure, also known as ocular hypertension. Secondary glaucoma comes in two types, differentiated by the drainage angle in the eye that controls aqueous outflow. The first type is called open-angle glaucoma, which is sometimes referred to as chronic glaucoma. Its symptoms include a gradual loss of peripheral vision and possibly tunnel vision in advanced stages of the disease. The second type is called angle-closure glaucoma, which is sometimes referred to as acute glaucoma. Its symptoms include nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, severe eye pain, reddening of the eye and visual disturbances. There are several risk factors for secondary glaucoma. A person might be at advanced risk if he or she has an eye tumor, eye inflammation, diabetes, an advanced cataract or has had a past eye surgery or an eye injury. Individuals who are nearsighted have a natural predisposition for glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma also can be the result of a poor diet or nutritional deficiencies. Treatment for secondary glaucoma depends on whether it is open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is sometimes temporary, so treatment usually is based on controlling the introcular pressure with eye drops. Anyone who is at higher risk of developing secondary glaucoma should have regular vision exams. As with any health issue, the sooner secondary glaucoma is detected, the better chance a doctor has a to treat it effectively.