Treating Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma, also known as acute glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma, is a type of glaucoma that can cause sudden and severe eye pain, redness, and vision loss. It occurs when the angle between the iris and the cornea in the eye is too narrow, preventing the normal flow of aqueous humor fluid and leading to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure.

In cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma, emergency treatment is needed to prevent permanent vision loss. This typically involves using medications to reduce intraocular pressure and a procedure called laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) to create a small hole in the iris, allowing the aqueous humor to flow more freely and reducing the risk of further attacks.

In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to treat angle-closure glaucoma. This can involve creating a new drainage channel in the eye or implanting a shunt to help reduce intraocular pressure. However, surgery is typically reserved for cases where medication and LPI are not effective in controlling the condition.

Preventive measures for angle-closure glaucoma include regular eye exams to monitor for changes in the angle of the eye, as well as avoiding medications that can cause pupil dilation (such as certain cold and allergy medications) if you have a history of narrow angles. In some cases, prophylactic LPI may be recommended to reduce the risk of future attacks.