Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What type of glaucoma can occur due to a hypermature cataract leaking proteins?

1. Primary open-angle glaucoma

2. Secondary (phacogenic) glaucoma

3. Angle-closure glaucoma

4. Normal-tension glaucoma

The correct answer is: Secondary (phacogenic) glaucoma

Secondary (phacogenic) glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that results from changes in the eye due to a cataract. When a cataract becomes hypermature, it can start to leak proteins into the anterior chamber of the eye. This leakage can create an inflammatory response and lead to the obstruction of the trabecular meshwork, the drainage system of the eye. As a result, intraocular pressure can increase, leading to secondary glaucoma. In contrast to this specific scenario, primary open-angle glaucoma is a chronic condition characterized by the gradual loss of vision due to increased intraocular pressure without an identifiable secondary cause. Angle-closure glaucoma involves a sudden increase in intraocular pressure when the drainage angle is blocked, which is not directly related to cataract changes. Normal-tension glaucoma presents with optic nerve damage and visual field loss even when intraocular pressure remains within normal limits, which doesn’t pertain to the effects of a hypermature cataract.