Angle-Closure Glaucoma

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.

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

A small percentage of people with glaucoma have a condition known as narrow angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can occur slowly and progressively, or very quickly and can only be detected through a comprehensive eye exam. Narrow angle glaucoma usually occurs in farsighted people, because they tend to have interior chambers that are smaller than normal. In cases of narrow angle glaucoma, the iris can go forward thinning the angle that normally drains the eye. As the angle becomes smaller, fluid backs up and pressure in the eye or intraocular pressure begins to rise. If narrow angle glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause loss of vision. In some cases, narrow angle glaucoma can lead to an emergency condition known as angle closure glaucoma. For more information ask your doctor about narrow angle glaucoma.

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