Angle-Closure Glaucoma

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is angle-closure glaucoma? " пїЅ Glaucoma is a disease that damages the main nerve in the eye, called the "optic nerve. " пїЅ There are 2 types of glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma (also called "narrow angle glaucoma " пїЅ) is the less common type. The more common type is called "open angle glaucoma. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Glaucoma is usually caused by pressure inside the eye. Angle-closure glaucoma happens when the fluid-draining system in the eye gets blocked. This causes eye pressure to rise quickly. It is different from open-angle glaucoma, which happens when eye pressure builds up slowly. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma? " пїЅ The symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Vision loss
Seeing halos around lights
Headache
Very bad eye pain
Feeling sick (nausea) and throwing up (vomiting)
Redness in the white part of the eye
Swelling and cloudiness in the colored part of the eye

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. You should see an eye doctor right away if you have symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma. If you cannot get an appointment, go to an emergency room. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for angle-closure glaucoma? " пїЅ Yes. To check for angle-closure glaucoma, doctors can use a few different tests. They can: пїЅ пїЅ

Look into the back of your eye with a magnifying tool to check for signs of nerve damage
Use a special tool to measure the angle at the opening where fluid drains from the eye
Check how well you see things in the center of your field of vision, and how well you see things that are off to the side
Check the pressure inside your eye by pushing or blowing on your eye with a special tool

How is angle-closure glaucoma treated? " пїЅ Treatments for angle-closure glaucoma work by lowering the pressure inside the eye. They include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines " пїЅ These are usually given as eye drops. Sometimes, the medicines are given as pills or through a small tube in a vein, called an "IV. " пїЅ
Laser therapy " пїЅ Laser therapy helps fluid drain from the eye.
Surgery " пїЅ Surgery involves making a small opening or inserting a tiny tube in the eye so that fluid can drain better.

People with angle-closure glaucoma who have not had laser therapy or surgery should not take certain over-the-counter medicines. Taking them might cause the problem to come back. These medicines include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines to treat cold and allergy symptoms
Medicines to treat motion sickness

What can I do to prevent angle-closure glaucoma? " пїЅ Angle-closure glaucoma is more common in some families. If you have a family history of this condition, be sure to get regular eye exams, especially after middle age. If you have angle-closure glaucoma, tell your relatives (children, brothers, or sisters) that they should be tested. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83393 Version 5.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright