Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Angle-Closure Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that affects the optic nerve, which is crucial for vision. It occurs when the fluid inside the eye cannot drain properly because the angle between the iris and cornea becomes blocked. This blockage causes a rapid increase in intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Symptoms often include sudden eye pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision. The condition primarily affects the anterior chamber of the eye and requires urgent medical attention to prevent permanent blindness.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma is characterized by a sudden or chronic closure of the anterior chamber angle, leading to impaired aqueous humor outflow and a rapid rise in intraocular pressure (IOP). The core pathology involves mechanical obstruction of the trabecular meshwork by the peripheral iris, often due to a narrow anterior chamber angle or pupillary block. This condition is a major cause of irreversible optic neuropathy and visual field loss. It typically presents with acute symptoms such as ocular pain, headache, nausea, and visual disturbances including halos around lights. Risk factors include hyperopia, age-related lens thickening, and certain medications that dilate the pupil. Prompt recognition and management are critical to prevent permanent optic nerve damage and blindness.