Angle Closure Glaucoma

angle closure glaucoma

Angle closure glaucoma occurs when the drainage angle in the eye becomes blocked, causing a rapid rise in eye pressure. This happens because the iris, the colored part of the eye, pushes forward and closes the tiny angle where fluid normally drains. There are two forms: a sudden, acute attack and a more gradual, chronic closure that gets worse over time. In an acute attack, symptoms can come on quickly and include severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. An acute episode is a medical emergency because the high pressure can cause permanent vision loss within hours if not treated. People with certain eye shapes, shorter eyes, or very farsighted vision are at higher risk because their anatomy makes angle closure more likely. Eye doctors diagnose the condition by examining the angle with a special instrument and measuring eye pressure. Treatment for an acute attack focuses on rapidly lowering the pressure with medicines and then creating a small hole in the iris with a laser to restore drainage. Long-term care may include surgery to prevent future episodes and regular monitoring to protect the optic nerve.