Blog 2: Sense Disease

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-closure glaucoma is a condition in which the iris in the eye shifts and blocks the exit passageway of the aqueous humor, the fluid that fills the eye. This fluid blockage causes a rapid build-up of pressure in the eye.
Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency condition that requires immediate medical treatment to preserve vision.

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Causes

Though scientists are unsure of the exact causes of glaucoma, there are factors that may affect the chances of contracting this disease:

• Narrowing of the drainage angle in the eye—Aging and being farsighted are two causes of this narrowing.
• Being born with narrow angles
• Injury to the eye

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The following factors increase your chance of developing angle-closure glaucoma:

• Family history of narrow angle glaucoma
• Glaucoma in one eye—This increases the risk of developing glaucoma in the other eye.
• Ethnic background—Asians are at greater risk of angle-closure glaucoma.
• Injury to the eye
• Eye drops used to dilate the eyes
• Certain systemic medications

Symptoms

Patients with narrow angles experience few or no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an acute angle-closure attack. Symptoms of this may include:

• Severe pain in the eye
• Facial pain
• Pupil not reacting to light
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Redness and swelling of the eye

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Diagnosis

Tests are performed to accurately diagnose the symptoms that seem to fit the criteria for glaucoma.

• Eye exam
• Tonometry —to determine intraocular pressure
• Slit lamp examination—the use of a low-power microscope combined with a high-intensity light source, allows a narrow beam that can be focused to examine the front of the eye
• Gonioscopy—the use of a special mirror to view the drainage angle of the eye

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Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma requires emergency medical treatment to preserve vision. See an ophthalmologist immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of an angle-closure glaucoma attack. Treatment options include:

• Medications—Eye drops, pills, and sometimes even intravenous drugs are often administered to reduce intraocular pressure.
• Surgery—Surgery (usually done by laser) may be used to stop or prevent an attack of angle-closure glaucoma.

Source: http://www.doctorsofusc.com/condition/document/237328