Closed angle Glaucoma

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Closed angle Glaucoma


A.k.a. Acute angle closure glaucoma
  • Due to blockage of aqueous outflow by iris sealing against cornea

Epidemiology

  • more common in women
  • Disease of middle age to later life
  • prevalence 1:1000 over 40 years

Risk Factors

  • hypermetropia (long sight)
  • family history
  • previous attack in other eye

History

  • may be precede by subacute attacks
    • in evening
    • relieved when asleep
  • Sudden obstruction
  • usually in evening
  • agonising pain
    • → nausea and vomiting
  • impaired vision
  • leads to rapid increase intraocular pressure and pain
  • Acute attack commonly preceded by blurred vision or haloes around lights (early corneal oedema)

Examination

  • eye red and exquisitely painful
  • Cornea may be hazy due to oedema
  • intraocular pressure up to 80mmHg
  • oval pupil
  • pentorch illumination from side shows iris bowed forward

Treatment

  • Mannitol can be used in an emergency
  • Pilocarpine 2-4% hourly
  • Acetazolamide 500mg PO (or IM) then 250mg /8h PO
  • Need to check other eye as is likely to have narrow canal predisposing to AACG there as well.
  • Laser surgery can make a hole in the iris to allow drainage of aqueous
 

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