Angle closure glaucoma

10 March 2025

Angle-closure glaucoma is one of the most dangerous forms of glaucoma, as it can cause rapid and irreversible vision loss if not treated immediately. This condition occurs when the drainage of aqueous humor within the eye is suddenly blocked, causing an abrupt increase in intraocular pressure. Unlike open-angle glaucoma – which usually progresses slowly and without noticeable symptoms in its early stages – angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Main symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma

The signs and symptoms of this condition can appear suddenly and be very intense. Some of the most common include:

• Severe eye pain: intense and persistent pain in the affected eye is one of the most characteristic signs of this condition.
• Eye redness: inflammation of the eye accompanies the elevation of intraocular pressure.
• Blurred or cloudy vision: it may feel as if you are looking through fogged glass.
• Halos around lights: Perceiving colored halos around lights is a common symptom due to increased eye pressure.
• Severe headache: This usually accompanies eye pain and can be mistaken for a migraine.
• Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms can be the body's response to the sudden increase in eye pressure.
• Sudden vision loss: In severe cases, vision can be severely compromised within hours.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If symptoms occur, it is critical to go immediately to an ophthalmologist or the emergency room for proper treatment. Management may include medications to reduce intraocular pressure, and in most cases, a laser iridotomy is performed, a procedure that creates a small opening in the iris to allow better drainage of aqueous humor.