Optometry.com Blog

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is caused by a rapid or sudden increase in pressure inside the eye. It is also called intraocular pressure. There are several types of glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma is caused by a malformation of the eye’s drainage structures. There are two subcategories of angle closure glaucoma: primary and acute. Primary angle closure glaucoma accounts for approximately 10% of glaucoma patients. Angle closure glaucoma occurs when the angle, or area where the aqueous fluid drains via the trabecular meshwork, becomes obstructed. Acute angle closure glaucoma is one of the few types of glaucoma that causes symptoms. The most common symptoms are blurred vision, colored halos, severe pain, red eye, and nausea or vomiting.

In the United States, fewer than 10% of glaucoma cases are due to angle-closure glaucoma. In Asia, angle-closure glaucoma is more common than open-angle glaucoma. AACG predominately affects females because of their shallower anterior chamber. Angle-closure glaucoma among American Indians is lower than among whites. In whites, angle-closure glaucoma is 3 times higher in women than in men. In blacks, men and women are affected equally. As people age, the lens of the eye enlarges and pushes the iris forward, thus increasing the risk for angle-closure glaucoma. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency because optic nerve damage and vision loss can occur within hours of the onset of the problem. Topical steroids reduce the inflammatory reaction and diminish optic nerve damage.

Hyperosmotic agents are useful for several reasons. They reduce vitreous volume, which, in turn, decreases IOP. Angle-closure glaucoma must be treat with laser therapy or surgical therapy. Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty can be used postoperatively to further flatten the peripheral iris and to prevent synechial reattachment. In acute angle-closure glaucoma, several drugs are used simultaneously to accelerate and maximize their pressure-lowering effects. The drugs lower IOP by increasing the outflow of the fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye or by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye. Regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist may identify people who are at risk for acute angle-closure glaucoma. Eye drops and oral medication is often necessary to reduced the intraocular pressure

Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Treatrment and Prevention Tips

1. Pilocarpine must be used in glaucoma.

2. Hyperosmotic agents are useful for several cases of glaucoma.

3. Topical steroids reduce the inflammatory reaction and diminish optic nerve damage.

4. Eye drops and oral medication is often necessary to reduced the intraocular pressure.

5. Beta-blockers and Acetazolamide also recommended.

Your eyes may be a tiny part of your body, but they play a large role in how you experience the world. They help you sense motion and color, intuit ****** expressions and body language and see the wonders of your life in three dimensions. Here’s what you need to know to keep your peepers in top form.

* Exam Essentials

Even if you have no problem with your vision, regular eye exams are critical to eye health, says Justin L. Gottlieb, M.D., a retina specialist and associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison.

* Who Provides Eye Care?

Ophthalmologists-medical doctors who specialize in eyes-provide total eye care, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing and treating eye problems, and performing surgery. Optometrists assess vision, prescribe corrective lenses and diagnose and sometimes treat eye problems. Opticians fill prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

* What Happens during an Eye Exam?

In a standard eye exam, the practitioner gives tests that measure visual acuity, or vision; evaluates refraction, which helps determine a person’s prescription for glasses or contacts; and checks for eye problems. An ophthalmologist also checks eye movement and peripheral vision and examines the front and back of the eye.

“Ophthalmologists [and optometrists] use a slit lamp, which shines an intense line of light to illuminate the cornea, iris and other structures located at the front of the eye,” says Dr. Gottlieb. Special drops dilate the pupil and let the doctor view the retina and other structures at the back of the eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. Doctors also examine the skin around the eye.

* When Should I Get a Vision Exam?

If you don’t wear corrective lenses or have a family history of eye disease or a condition that can affect vision, such as diabetes, get an eye exam every two to four years between the ages of 40 and 64. Starting at age 65, get one every year to two years. If you wear glasses or contacts, ask your eye doctor how often you should have an exam. You may need more frequent exams if you have a family history of eye disease or a condition that can affect vision. If you are African American, get more frequent eye exams, since your risk of glaucoma is higher.

* Why is Proper Eye Care Important?

The right corrective lenses can enhance your quality of life. More important, early diagnosis of eye disease can prevent vision loss.

Make an appointment today for an eye exam. Then, you can relax and enjoy the wonderful sights around you.

Writer: Barbara Crow

©MediZine’s Healthy Living, Second Quarter 2007

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