What are the signs and symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma? How does it occur and what are the risk factors? What are the critical steps to manage this ocular emergency?

The Pathophysiology of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle closure glaucoma is an ocular emergency that results from a rapid increase in intraocular pressure due to an obstruction in the outflow of aqueous humor. This obstruction is primarily caused by the structural anatomy of the anterior chamber, leading to a shallower angle between the iris and the cornea. Several factors can contribute to this narrowing of the angle, including an increased lens size with age, anterior positioning of the iris-lens diaphragm, and a narrow entrance to the anterior chamber angle.

The obstruction to aqueous humor outflow creates a pressure difference between the posterior and anterior chambers, known as a pupillary block. This pupillary block causes the iris to bow forward, further narrowing the angle and perpetuating the cycle of increasing intraocular pressure. If left untreated, this rapid rise in pressure can lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Risk Factors for Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

There are several risk factors for developing acute angle closure glaucoma, including:

• Age: The incidence of angle-closure glaucoma increases with age, with the average age of presentation being around 60 years old.
• Gender: Angle-closure glaucoma is more common in women, with a 4:1 ratio of incidence compared to men.
• Race: Angle-closure glaucoma is more prevalent in Southeast Asians, Chinese, and Eskimos, and less common in Black populations.
• Family History: Ocular anatomic features that predispose individuals to angle-closure glaucoma can be inherited.

Symptoms and Presentation of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

Acute angle-closure glaucoma typically presents with a sudden onset of severe unilateral eye pain or headache, along with blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around bright lights, nausea, and vomiting. On physical examination, the affected eye will have a fixed midpoint pupil and a hazy or cloudy cornea with marked conjunctival injection (redness).

Immediate Management of Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

When a patient presents with suspected acute angle-closure glaucoma, the immediate steps to take are:

1. Measure the intraocular pressure to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Administer topical medications to lower the intraocular pressure, such as beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
3. Administer oral acetazolamide to further reduce intraocular pressure.
4. Consider administering intravenous mannitol or other hyperosmotic agents to rapidly lower the intraocular pressure.
5. Refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for definitive management, which may include laser iridotomy or surgical intervention.

The Role of the Interprofessional Team

Providing well-coordinated care for patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma requires an interprofessional team approach. Ophthalmologists, emergency department physicians, nurses, and pharmacists all play a crucial role in the immediate management and long-term care of these patients. Prompt recognition of the condition, administration of appropriate medications, and timely referral to an ophthalmologist are essential to prevent permanent vision loss.

Preventing Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

While some risk factors for acute angle-closure glaucoma, such as age and race, are not modifiable, there are measures that can be taken to prevent the condition in high-risk individuals. These include:

• Regular eye examinations to monitor for narrow angles and other predisposing anatomical features.
• Prophylactic laser iridotomy in individuals with narrow angles to prevent acute attacks.
• Avoiding medications that can dilate the pupil, such as antihistamines and certain antidepressants, in high-risk individuals.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a true ophthalmological emergency, as the rapid rise in intraocular pressure can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Early recognition of the symptoms and immediate management, including the administration of topical and systemic medications to lower the intraocular pressure, are crucial to prevent irreversible optic nerve damage. Timely referral to an ophthalmologist for definitive treatment, such as laser iridotomy or surgical intervention, is also essential for the long-term preservation of vision in these patients.

Acute Closed Angle Glaucoma – StatPearls

Babak Khazaeni; Leila Khazaeni.

Author Information and Affiliations

Last Update: January 2, 2023.

Continuing Education Activity

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an ocular emergency that results from a rapid increase in intraocular pressure due to outflow obstruction of aqueous humor. Several factors lead to the obstruction in acute angle-closure glaucoma, but the major predisposing factor is the structural anatomy of the anterior chamber, leading to a shallower angle between the iris and the cornea. Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents as a sudden onset of severe unilateral eye pain or a headache associated with blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around bright lights, nausea, and vomiting. The physical exam will reveal a fixed midpoint pupil and a hazy or cloudy cornea with marked conjunctival injection. This activity reviews the evaluation and management of patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in managing patients with this condition.

Objectives:

• Describe the pathophysiology of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

• Summarize how a patient with acute angle-closure glaucoma is likely to present.

• Identify the critical immediate steps to take when managing a patient with acute angle-closure glaucoma.

• Outline the role of a collaborative interprofessional team in providing well-coordinated care to patients presenting with acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction

Glaucoma is a set of ocular disorders often defined by increased intraocular pressures leading to optic neuropathy and vision loss if untreated.[1] Glaucoma has traditionally been classified as open-angle or closed-angle and as primary or secondary. The angle refers to the angle between the iris and the cornea in the anterior chamber, which can become structurally obstructed. By definition, primary glaucomas are not associated with known ocular or systemic disorders and usually affect both eyes. Secondary glaucomas are associated with ocular or systemic disorders and are often unilateral. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a subset of primary angle-closure glaucoma.

The commonly accepted range for intraocular pressure is 10 to 22 mmHg. Three factors that affect the intraocular pressure are the rate of production of aqueous humor by the ciliary body, the resistance to aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal, and the episcleral venous pressure. The normal flow of aqueous humor starts in the ciliary body, goes through the pupil, and out through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal in the angle of the anterior chamber. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, intraocular pressure increases rapidly due to outflow obstruction of the aqueous humor. Several factors lead to the obstruction in acute angle-closure glaucoma, but the major predisposing factor is the structural anatomy of the anterior chamber leading to a shallower angle.[2][3]

Etiology

Blockage to the flow of aqueous humor occurs due to a number of predisposing anatomic variations. These variations include a shallower anterior chamber, lens size, anterior location of the iris-lens diaphragm, and a narrow entrance to the anterior chamber angle. The shallower anterior chamber angle leads to a large area of the iris and lens being in contact with each other, slowing the flow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber. This, in turn, leads to a pressure difference between the chambers called a pupillary block.[4] 

The pupillary block causes bowing of the iris, which narrows the angle of the anterior chamber further. This cycle will perpetuate increasing intraocular pressures leading to the clinical presentation of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Epidemiology

There are several risk factors for acute angle-closure glaucoma, including age, gender, race, and family history.[5]

• Age: The average age at presentation is 60, and prevalence increases thereafter. This is felt to be due to the increasing size of the lens with age.

• Gender: There is a 4 to 1 ratio of the incidence of angle-closure glaucoma in women versus men.

• Race: Angle-closure glaucoma is more common in Southeast Asians, Chinese, and Eskimos. It is uncommon in black populations. In whites, acute angle-closure glaucoma accounts for 6% of all glaucoma diagnoses.[6]

• Family history: Ocular anatomic features are inherited. 

Pathophysiology

An acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma is precipitated by pupillary dilatation, leading to increasing iris and lens contact increasing the pupillary block.[7] The increasing pupillary block leads to bulging of the iris, acutely closing the angle between the iris and cornea, thus obstructing the aqueous humor outflow tract. The intraocular pressure rises acutely, leading to symptomology.

History and Physical

Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents as a sudden onset of severe unilateral eye pain or a headache associated with blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around bright lights, nausea, and vomiting. The physical exam will reveal a fixed midpoint pupil and a hazy or cloudy cornea with marked conjunctival injection (most prominent at the limbus). Intraocular pressure will be elevated and can be as high as 60 to 80 mm Hg in an acute attack. A mild amount of aqueous flare and cells may be seen. The optic nerve may also be swollen during an acute attack.[8][9]

Evaluation

Measuring elevated intraocular pressure is diagnostic. There is no need for any imaging studies. A basic metabolic panel should be checked if osmotic agents are used in the treatment regime. A gonioscopic examination by an ophthalmologist to verify angle-closure makes the definitive diagnosis. Gonioscopy of the unaffected eye will reveal a narrow occludable angle given the anatomic predisposing factors to acute angle-closure glaucoma (See other issues for further discussion). Glaucomflecken (grey-white opacities on the anterior lens capsule) may be visible if previous attacks of angle-closure glaucoma have occurred. [10]

Treatment / Management

The medical treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma aims to decrease the intraocular pressure by blocking the production of aqueous humor, increasing the outflow of aqueous humor, and reducing the volume of the aqueous humor.[11][12]

Initial medical therapy includes a combination of the following medications:

• Intravenous acetazolamide 500 mg to block the production of aqueous humor.

• Intravenous mannitol 1 to 2 grams/kg can be given (if there is no contraindication) to rapidly reduce the volume of aqueous humor.

• Topical beta-blocker (timolol 0.5%) one drop to block the production of aqueous humor.

• Topical alpha 2-agonist (apraclonidine 1%) one drop to block the production of aqueous humor.

• Topical pilocarpine 1% to 2% one drop every 15 minutes for two doses once intraocular pressure is below 40 mm Hg to increase the outflow of aqueous humor. This is not effective at higher pressures due to pressure-induced ischemic paralysis of the iris.

Intraocular pressure needs to be checked every hour.

Definitive treatment is peripheral iridectomy after the acute episode subsides. Laser iridectomy is the treatment of choice. Surgical iridectomy is indicated when laser iridectomy can not be accomplished. Iridectomy relieves the pupillary block as the pressure between the posterior and anterior chamber approaches zero by allowing the flow of aqueous humor through a different route. Iridectomy should be as peripheral as possible and covered by the eyelid to avoid monocular diplopia through this second hole in the pupil.[13]

Differential Diagnosis

• Allergic conjunctivitis

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Viral conjunctivitis 

• Drug-induced glaucoma

• Malignant glaucoma

• Neovascular glaucoma

• Phacomorphic glaucoma

• Senile cataract (age-related cataract)

• Lens subluxation[14]

• Migraine headache[15]

• Cluster headache

• Suprachoroidal hemorrhage

Prognosis

The prognosis depends on early detection and prompt treatment of acute closed-angle glaucoma. A study conducted on 116 cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma concluded that the delay in presentation and the time taken to end the acute episode was the most important factor in determining the final outcome of these patients. High intraocular pressure was less effective in determining the long-term prognosis of this condition.[16]

Complications

If acute closed-angle glaucoma is not detected and treated in its initial stages, it can lead to temporary loss of vision or blindness. There is a loss of peripheral vision, followed by a loss of central vision. There can be a significant increase in IOP in patients with peripheral patent iridotomy and a flat anterior chamber. This condition is called malignant glaucoma. This condition is difficult to treat and progressively leads to blindness.[17]

Deterrence and Patient Education

Patients with a history of acute angle-closure glaucoma should avoid dim light. Pupils dilate in response to dim light, further narrowing the iridocorneal angle. Patients with hypermetropia are at an increased risk of developing angle-closure glaucoma.

Pearls and Other Issues

An untreated opposite eye has a 40% to 80% chance of developing an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma over 5 to 10 years as it shares the same anatomic predisposing factors as the first eye.[18] Hence peripheral iridectomy should be performed in the other eye as well as the affected eye.

The gender and ethnicity predisposing factors to acute angle-closure glaucoma hint at a genetic predisposition to the disease in certain populations. Recent large-scale studies have shown a clear association to several genes and genetic loci with primary open-angle glaucoma, but evidence for acute angle-closure glaucoma is sparse. So far, only one study has shown a genetic locus on Chromosome 11 that can cause acute angle-closure glaucoma. Studies have been conducted on possible therapeutic targets in patients with early-onset glaucoma based on molecular and cellular events caused by MYOC, OPTN, and TBK1 mutations. [19]

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is best managed by an interprofessional team, including an ophthalmologist, family clinician, an ophthalmology nurse, and the pharmacist. After managing the emergency with eye drops, the patient should be scheduled for an iridectomy. Clinicians need to be aware that the other eye is also at risk for acute angle-closure glaucoma, and prophylactic surgery is recommended.

The outcomes for patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma are good following treatment. However, delay in treatment can lead to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.

Review Questions

• Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

• Comment on this article.

References

1.

Prum BE, Herndon LW, Moroi SE, Mansberger SL, Stein JD, Lim MC, Rosenberg LF, Gedde SJ, Williams RD. Primary Angle Closure Preferred Practice Pattern(®) Guidelines. Ophthalmology. 2016 Jan;123(1):P1-P40. [PubMed: 26581557]

2.

Pohl H, Tarnutzer AA. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma. N Engl J Med. 2018 Mar 08;378(10):e14. [PubMed: 29514027]

3.

Sun X, Dai Y, Chen Y, Yu DY, Cringle SJ, Chen J, Kong X, Wang X, Jiang C. Primary angle closure glaucoma: What we know and what we don’t know. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2017 Mar;57:26-45. [PubMed: 28039061]

4.

Weinreb RN, Aung T, Medeiros FA. The pathophysiology and treatment of glaucoma: a review. JAMA. 2014 May 14;311(18):1901-11. [PMC free article: PMC4523637] [PubMed: 24825645]

5.

Anderson DR, Jin JC, Wright MM. The physiologic characteristics of relative pupillary block. Am J Ophthalmol. 1991 Mar 15;111(3):344-50. [PubMed: 2000905]

6.

Ahram DF, Alward WL, Kuehn MH. The genetic mechanisms of primary angle closure glaucoma. Eye (Lond). 2015 Oct;29(10):1251-9. [PMC free article: PMC4815686] [PubMed: 26206529]

7.

Bourne RR, Taylor HR, Flaxman SR, Keeffe J, Leasher J, Naidoo K, Pesudovs K, White RA, Wong TY, Resnikoff S, Jonas JB. , Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study. Number of People Blind or Visually Impaired by Glaucoma Worldwide and in World Regions 1990 – 2010: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0162229. [PMC free article: PMC5072735] [PubMed: 27764086]

8.

Collignon NJ. Emergencies in glaucoma: a review. Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol. 2005;(296):71-81. [PubMed: 16050422]

9.

Watkinson S. Assessment and management of patients with acute red eye. Nurs Older People. 2013 Jun;25(5):27-34; quiz 35. [PubMed: 23914708]

10.

Garala P, Bansal A. Acute Secondary Optic Neuropathy as a Complication of a Single Episode of Acutely Raised Intraocular Pressure: A Case Series. J Glaucoma. 2019 Jan;28(1):e10-e13. [PubMed: 30234746]

11.

Shaw AD, Burnett CA, Eke T. A simple technique for indirect gonioscopy for patients who cannot be examined at the slit lamp. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Sep;90(9):1209. [PMC free article: PMC1857408] [PubMed: 16929072]

12.

Anwar F, Turalba A. An Overview of Treatment Methods for Primary Angle Closure. Semin Ophthalmol. 2017;32(1):82-85. [PubMed: 27686782]

13.

He M, Jiang Y, Huang S, Chang DS, Munoz B, Aung T, Foster PJ, Friedman DS. Laser peripheral iridotomy for the prevention of angle closure: a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2019 Apr 20;393(10181):1609-1618. [PubMed: 30878226]

14.

Xing X, Huang L, Tian F, Zhang Y, Lv Y, Liu W, Liu A. Biometric indicators of eyes with occult lens subluxation inducing secondary acute angle closure. BMC Ophthalmol. 2020 Mar 05;20(1):87. [PMC free article: PMC7059282] [PubMed: 32138781]

15.

Renton BJ, Bastawrous A. Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma (AACG): an important differential diagnosis for acute severe headache. Acute Med. 2011;10(2):77-8. [PubMed: 22041605]

16.

David R, Tessler Z, Yassur Y. Long-term outcome of primary acute angle-closure glaucoma. Br J Ophthalmol. 1985 Apr;69(4):261-2. [PMC free article: PMC1040578] [PubMed: 3994941]

17.

Shahid H, Salmon JF. Malignant glaucoma: a review of the modern literature. J Ophthalmol. 2012;2012:852659. [PMC free article: PMC3321564] [PubMed: 22545204]

18.

Atalay E, Nongpiur ME, Baskaran M, Sharma S, Perera SA, Aung T. Biometric Factors Associated With Acute Primary Angle Closure: Comparison of the Affected and Fellow Eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016 Oct 01;57(13):5320-5325. [PubMed: 27727395]

19.

Wiggs JL, Pasquale LR. Genetics of glaucoma. Hum Mol Genet. 2017 Aug 01;26(R1):R21-R27. [PMC free article: PMC6074793] [PubMed: 28505344]

20.

Nuessle S, Luebke J, Boehringer D, Reinhard T, Anton A. [Acute angle closure : An ophthalmological emergency in the emergency room]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2022 Mar;117(2):137-143. [PMC free article: PMC8897352] [PubMed: 33580819]

Disclosure: Babak Khazaeni declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Leila Khazaeni declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

What is Angle-Closure Glaucoma? | glaucoma.org

What is Angle-Closure Glaucoma? | glaucoma.org

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What is Angle-Closure Glaucoma?

This type of glaucoma is also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. It is much more rare and is very different from open-angle glaucoma in that the eye pressure usually rises very quickly.

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What is Angle-Closure Glaucoma?

This type of glaucoma is also known as acute glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. It is much more rare and is very different from open-angle glaucoma in that the eye pressure usually rises very quickly.

BACK TO BLOG HOME

Angle-Closure Glaucoma happens when the drainage canals get blocked or covered over, like a sink with something covering the drain.

With angle-closure glaucoma, the iris is not as wide and open as it should be. The outer edge of the iris bunches up over the drainage canals, when the pupil enlarges too much or too quickly. This can happen when entering a dark room.

A simple test can be used to see if your angle is normal and wide or abnormal and narrow.

Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma may include headaches, eye pain, nausea, rainbows around lights at night, and very blurred vision.

Treatment

Treatment of angle-closure glaucoma usually involves either laser or conventional surgery to remove a small portion of the bunched-up outer edge of the iris. Surgery helps unblock the drainage canals so that the extra fluid can drain.

If you have angle-closure glaucoma in one eye, doctors may go ahead and treat the other eye as a safety measure.

In general, surgery for angle-closure glaucoma is successful and long lasting. Regular checkups are still important though, because a chronic form of glaucoma could still occur.

Video Transcript

In cases of acute angle closure glaucoma, the iris may bow forward so much that it cuts off your eye’s angle completely. Unlike narrow angle glaucoma where some fluid can still drain from the eye, acute angle closure glaucoma does not let any fluid drain. It develops quickly and its symptoms can include severe pain, red eye, and nausea. Acute angle closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. If the high pressure is not reduced within hours, it can permanently damage your vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your eye doctor or go to a hospital emergency room.

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Angle-closure glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma: symptoms, treatment, recommendations

The term “glaucoma” unites a large group of diseases of the organs of vision, which are characterized by the following symptoms: high intraocular pressure, decreased function of peripheral vision and atrophy of the optic nerve. These changes lead to irreversible deterioration of vision up to the development of complete blindness. In Russia, the main cause of visual impairment (up to 28%) is glaucoma.

What is angle-closure glaucoma?

Ulcer-closure glaucoma is a pathology that occurs as a result of a disorder in the microcirculation of the intraocular fluid when the anterior corner of the eye is blocked. The eye constantly produces aqueous humor, which is necessary to nourish those internal structures where there are no blood vessels. The fluid through the drainage system located in the anterior corner of the eye flows into the superficial veins of the sclera. If the outflow is disturbed, fluid accumulates, intraocular pressure increases. Irritation of pain receptors causes a further reactive rise in pressure. Compression leads to impaired blood supply, dystrophy and atrophy of nerve fibers, which gradually causes atrophy and death of the optic nerve.

Scientists came to the conclusion that the development and progression of glaucoma is a combined action of various risk factors that lead to the triggering of the disease mechanism.

Risk factors:

• Age category over 40 years.
• Race. The most susceptible to pathology are people of the Negroid and Mongoloid races.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Refractive error: high degrees of myopia or hyperopia.
• Condition after injury to the eye or the consequences of surgical operations.
• Frequently recurring stressful situations.
• Chronic cardiovascular diseases.
• Endocrine pathologies.

Stages of the pathological process in glaucoma:

• Violation of the circulation of the eye fluid.
• High intraocular pressure.
• Deterioration of the blood supply to the tissues and structures of the eye.
• The growth of destructive-dystrophic processes leading to atrophy of the optic fibers.
• Formation of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Forms of angle-closure glaucoma

The most common form (up to 80%) is pupillary block glaucoma. Attack periods are replaced by asymptomatic remissions. Each attack leaves adhesions in the drainage system, which further disrupts the normal outflow of eye fluid. Due to this, a constantly high pressure in the anterior chamber of the eye is maintained, which is accompanied by disorders of visual functions typical of glaucoma.

Angle-closure glaucoma with flat iris occurs in 10% of all cases. An exacerbation can develop when the pupil expands under the influence of various reasons: during stress, in the dark, when mydriatic drops are instilled into the eye.

In 7%, a “creeping” form is observed, in which, for unknown reasons, the iris root is fused with the angle of the anterior chamber. The disease begins imperceptibly and is often detected by chance during preventive examinations of the organ of vision. Later, ophthalmohyperthesia and a typical clinical picture of angle-closure glaucoma join.

The rarest (about 1%) malignant form is glaucoma with vitreous lens block. Its appearance is associated with the anatomical and physiological features of the eye: an enlarged lens, a small size of the eyeball, and a dense ciliary body. The iris-lenticular septum tilts anteriorly and obstructs the angle of the anterior chamber, while fluid collects behind the vitreous in the posterior chamber of the eye.

Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma

The initial stages of the pathological process develop imperceptibly for the patient.

Signs of the disease appear during attacks, without exacerbation there are no symptoms.

In the clinic of angle-closure glaucoma, acute and subacute attacks are distinguished.

An acute attack begins suddenly with the appearance of a sharp pain in the eye with irradiation on the side of the lesion along the projection of the trigeminal nerve to the forehead and temples, vision is blurred, circles of all colors of the rainbow appear when looking at bright light. The general condition also worsens: malaise, weakness, pain in the heart, nausea, vomiting.

The sclera is hyperemic, the cornea is edematous, the pupil is sharply dilated, deformed; foci of cloudiness are noted on the lens.

An acute attack is characterized by a maximum rise in intraocular pressure. Rough adhesions formed in the anterior corner of the eye between the root of the iris and the cornea completely block the drainage system. With a strong compression of the vessels of the iris, a local circulatory disorder develops, from which the optic nerve also suffers.

In a subacute attack, the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye is partially closed, which determines the clinic of the disease. With a mild course (intraocular pressure of 40 mm Hg), when at least the minimum circulatory movement of the eye fluid is preserved, the patient has only hazy blurred vision and multi-colored circles before the eyes in bright light.

At pressures above 60 mmHg. Art. symptoms of glaucoma become more pronounced: there are painful sensations in the eye, forehead, superciliary arches. The subacute form does not cause deformation of the pupil, does not provoke the development of segmental atrophy and adhesions in the corner of the anterior chamber of the eye.

The most common motive in the development of an acute attack of glaucoma is:

• Emotional overexcitation.
• Physical work associated with frequent torso bending.
• Drinking too much liquid.
• Prolonged exposure to a darkened room.
• Hypothermia.
• Taking alcohol and drugs that stimulate the nervous system.

Diagnosis

Modern ophthalmology uses several methods for diagnosing glaucoma:

• Visometry – determination of visual acuity.
• Biomicroscopy.
• Gonioscopy – assessment of the condition of the anterior chamber of the eye.
• Ocular tonometry – measurement of intraocular pressure.

Treatment of angle-closure glaucoma

Tactics treatment of angle-closure glaucoma is different and depends on the clinical picture of the disease.

In case of an acute attack of glaucoma, medical attention should be provided immediately, since prolonged exposure to high pressure structures of the eye can lead to a complete loss of visual functions.

Acute glaucoma drugs:

Eye drops with β-blockers that reduce the production of intraocular fluid: Glaumol, Okukap.

Medicated pupil constriction drops. The pupil, contracting, pulls the iris behind it, which allows you to move it away from the angle of the anterior chamber and unblock the outflow of fluid: “Pilocarpine”, “Oftan”.

Diuretics, analgesics and antiemetics are used as systemic pharmaceuticals.

If an attack of glaucoma persists for more than 24 hours and medical treatment fails, surgical treatment is indicated. If the attack stops, then the operation is performed at a later date.

Methods of surgical treatment of angle-closure glaucoma are determined by the form, stage and presence of concomitant pathologies.

Surgical treatment of angle-closure glaucoma consists in creating artificial micro-holes at the root of the iris, blocking the entrance to the drainage system. The operation is called iridectomy, which opens the anterior corner of the eye, and the pressure between the anterior and posterior chambers equalizes.

Laser iridotomy is also used in ophthalmology for the treatment of glaucoma. The purpose of the operation is to form a channel between the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye, as a result of which the hydrostatic pressure is normalized.

Professor Trubilin’s clinic uses non-penetrating deep sclerectomy as a surgical treatment for glaucoma. The operation is performed without opening the eyeball, only within the drainage system, which allows creating a good hypotensive effect. In advanced clinical cases, it is proposed to implant a mini-shunt under the sclera, which will take on the function of drainage, through which the outflow of intraocular fluid will pass.