Acute glaucoma

Acute Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that is characterized by a sudden increase in intraocular pressure, leading to a rapid loss of vision. It is a type of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is crucial for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye.

Causes

Acute glaucoma, also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma, is caused by a rapid or sudden increase in intraocular pressure. This happens when the pupil dilates too much or too quickly, causing the angle between the iris and the cornea to close. This can occur as a result of injury, certain medications, or a structural problem in the eye.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute glaucoma are typically severe and may include blurred vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and seeing halos around lights. The symptoms can start suddenly and get worse quickly. If not treated promptly, acute glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.

Diagnosis

Acute glaucoma is typically diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This may include tests to measure intraocular pressure (tonometry), inspect the drainage angle (gonioscopy), evaluate the optic nerve (ophthalmoscopy), and test the visual fields (perimetry).

Treatment

The treatment for acute glaucoma aims to reduce the intraocular pressure as quickly as possible. This can be achieved through medications, laser therapy (laser peripheral iridotomy), or surgery (trabeculectomy). In some cases, a procedure to drain the fluid from the eye may be necessary.

Prognosis

With prompt treatment, it is possible to relieve the symptoms of acute glaucoma and prevent permanent vision loss. However, the condition can recur, so regular eye exams are important for anyone diagnosed with this condition.

See also

• Chronic glaucoma
• Ocular hypertension
• Primary open-angle glaucoma
• Secondary glaucoma