Closed angle glaucoma

Closed Angle Glaucoma is a type of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by an abnormally high pressure in your eye. Closed Angle Glaucoma is also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma and is less common than open-angle glaucoma but can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in the eye.

Causes

Closed Angle Glaucoma occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. As a result, fluid can't circulate through the eye and pressure increases. Some people have narrow drainage angles, putting them at increased risk of closed-angle glaucoma.

Symptoms

Closed Angle Glaucoma can cause sudden symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, halos around lights, dilated pupils, vision loss, red eyes, nausea and vomiting. These signs may last for hours or until the eye pressure is reduced.

Diagnosis

A comprehensive eye examination can reveal whether you have closed-angle glaucoma. Tests may include: Tonometry (measuring intraocular pressure), Gonioscopy (inspecting the drainage angle), Ophthalmoscopy (examining the optic nerve), and Perimetry (testing the visual field).

Treatment

Closed Angle Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment is aimed at reducing the eye pressure. This usually will require both medication to decrease the production of aqueous humor and surgery to improve its outflow. Laser peripheral iridotomy is the most common surgical treatment, which involves making a small hole in the iris to allow fluid to flow more freely in the eye.

Prevention

Regular eye checkups can help detect closed-angle glaucoma early. If you're at risk of developing glaucoma, regular checkups can help your doctor detect any changes in your eye pressure before the condition becomes more serious.