Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Definition
Glaucoma
represents a group of eye disorders that cause damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma is a degenerative eye disease and one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.
Angle-closure glaucoma is a condition in which the iris in the eye shifts and blocks the exit passageway of the aqueous humor, the fluid that fills the eye. This fluid blockage causes a rapid build-up of pressure in the eye.
Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical treatment to preserve vision.
Causes
The exact cause of open-angle glaucoma is unknown. However, factors that play a role in causing the disease include:
-
Narrowing of the drainage angle in the eye—Aging and being
farsighted
are two causes of this narrowing.
- Being born with narrow angles
- Injury to the eye
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The following factors increase your chance of developing angle-closure glaucoma:
- Family history of narrow angle glaucoma
- Glaucoma in one eye—This increases the risk of developing glaucoma in the other eye.
- Ethnic background—Asians are at greater risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
- Injury to the eye
- Eye drops used to dilate the eyes
- Certain systemic medications
Symptoms
Patients with narrow angles experience few or no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an acute angle-closure attack. Symptoms of this may include:
- Severe pain in the eye
- Facial pain
- Pupil not reacting to light
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Redness and swelling of the eye
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include the following:
- Eye exam
- Tonometry
—to determine intraocular pressure
- Slit lamp examination—the use of a low-power microscope combined with a high-intensity light source, allows a narrow beam that can be focused to examine the front of the eye
- Gonioscopy—the use of a special mirror to view the drainage angle of the eye
Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma requires emergency medical treatment to preserve vision. See an ophthalmologist immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of an angle-closure glaucoma attack. Treatment options include:
- Medications—Eye drops, pills, and sometimes even intravenous drugs are often administered to reduce intraocular pressure.
- Surgery—Surgery (usually done by laser) may be used to stop or prevent an attack of angle-closure glaucoma.
Prevention
Angle-closure glaucoma cannot be prevented, but prompt medical treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss. Patients at high risk of having an angle-closure glaucoma attack may undergo preventive surgery to open a new channel in the iris. Since you cannot tell if you have narrow angles, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination regularly.