What is Closed Angle Glaucoma?

Closed angle glaucoma refers to a condition where the pressure inside the eyes becomes a lot higher than usual. The pressure gets built up because the fluid is not able to flow out as it should. This fluid is usually produced at the rear of the eye, behind the iris. It flows through the pupil into the front part of the eye.

It then goes through a number of channels known as trabecular meshwork and, after that, into the veins of the sclera (the white part of the eye). However, in the case of closed angle glaucoma, the trabecular meshwork gets damaged or obstructed. The fluid cannot flow easily through the pathway or get completely blocked. This backup of fluid leads to an increase in pressure within the eyeballs.

Types of Closed Angle Glaucoma

Closed angle glaucoma can be broadly divided into two categories—Primary closed angle glaucoma and Secondary closed angle glaucoma. Let us understand them both briefly:

• Primary Closed Angle Glaucoma

In this type of closed angle glaucoma, the structure of our eyes becomes such that the iris may get pressed against the trabecular meshwork. This may happen because of the following reasons:

1. The angle between the cornea and the iris is very narrow

2. The eye lens is thick and pushes the iris forward

3. The eyeball is relatively small when measured from front to back

4. The iris is thinner and makes it fold into the angle

• Secondary Closed Angle Glaucoma

Secondary closed angle glaucoma is an eye condition which causes changes in the eye that basically force the iris against the trabecular meshwork. These are some of the underlying conditions:

1. Inflammation

2. Diabetes

3. Eye injury

4. Tumour

5. Advanced cataract (clouding of the eye lenses)

Closed angle glaucoma may also be described as either acute or chronic. Acute cases are quite common compared to chronic ones and may occur suddenly. In contrast, chronic closed angle glaucoma develops slowly, and its symptoms are hard to spot.

Symptoms of Closed Angle Glaucoma

In case you are suffering from acute closed angle glaucoma, you may experience a sudden onset of more than one of the following symptoms:

1. Blurred vision

2. Severe eye pain

3. Eye redness, hardness, and tenderness

4. Feeling nauseated or wanting to vomit

5. Visibility of white halos around objects

You may get prone to closed angle glaucoma if your pupils stay dilated. For instance, when you are under stress, taking certain drugs, or when you are in a darkened room. If any of these symptoms occur to you, it would be best to see an eye specialist right away, especially in the case of acute closed angle glaucoma.

The symptoms of chronic closed angle glaucoma are subtler in nature. One may not be able to notice any changes at first. However, as the condition progresses, one may realize that their sight is deteriorating, and they are losing the edges of their field of vision. In this eye condition, one may even experience eye pain and redness but not as severe as in the case of acute closed angle glaucoma.

Who is at Risk of Contracting Closed Angle Glaucoma?

There is a greater risk of closed angle glaucoma if you are:

1. Farsighted
2. Older than 40 years, especially if you are between 60 and 70 years old.
3. If you have a sibling or a close relative with the disease of southeast Asian origin

Treatment for Closed Angle Glaucoma

There are many ways to treat closed angle glaucoma. One may go for medication or surgery, or both as advised by the eye specialist. Let us take a look at both these treatment alternatives.

Medication

If your eye doctor suggests you take medication for closed angle glaucoma, you may be required to take multiple drugs, including:

1. Painkillers to reduce the pain in the eyes.
2. Drugs to treat vomiting and nausea
3. Acetazolamide to reduce the fluid in the eyes
4. Pilocarpine to open the angle between the cornea and iris
5. Steroids to reduce inflammation
6. Beta-blockers to reduce fluid production inside the eyes

Surgery

After the pressure in the eyes reduces, you may require further treatment to prevent the pressure from rising. There are two types of surgeries to address this issue:

1. Peripheral Iridotomy: It is a laser surgery in which very small drainage holes in the iris. This method is used to treat both chronic and acute closed angle glaucoma.
2. Surgical Iridectomy: In this type of surgical treatment, the doctor makes a triangular opening in the iris.

Prevent Closed Angle Glaucoma with the Best Treatment

In case you have a family history of this eye condition, you should get your eyes checked regularly. Also, see the eye specialist if you face any of the symptoms mentioned. Closed angle glaucoma is an eye disease which, in worst cases, may take away the light from someone’s eyes. Therefore, it is essential to get the best possible treatment available.

We at Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital offer state-of-the-art treatments for many eye conditions, including closed angle glaucoma. Not only that, but we also provide the best-in-class customer service. Explore our website to learn more about Glaucoma Treatment and other Eye Treatment.