Ocular Disease Management
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma (also called Closed-Angle Glaucoma)
Narrow-angle glaucoma is much more rare and is very different from open-angle
glaucoma in that eye pressure usually goes up very fast. This happens
when the drainage canals get blocked or covered over. The iris gets pushed
against the lens of the eye, shutting off the drainage angle. Sometimes
the lens and the iris stick to each other. This results in pressure increasing
suddenly, usually in one eye. There may be a feeling of fullness in the
eye along with reddening, swelling and blurred vision.
The onset of acute narrow-angle glaucoma is typically rapid, constituting
an emergency. If not treated promptly, this glaucoma produces blindness
in the affected eye in three to five days. Symptoms may include:
- Inflammation and pain
- Pressure over the eye
- Moderate pupil dilation that's non-reactive to light
- Cloudy cornea
- Blurring and decreased visual acuity
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Seeing halos around lights
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Causes of narrow-angle glaucoma:
- Defect in the eye structure
- Anything that causes the pupil to dilate -- dim lighting, dilation
drops
- Certain oral or injected medications
- Blow to the eye
- Diabetes-related growth of abnormal blood vessels over the angle
Diagnosing narrow-angle glaucoma:
Everyone should be checked for glaucoma at around age 35 and again at
age 40. Those considered to be at higher risk for narrow-angle glaucoma,
including those who are Asian, farsighted or over the age of 60, should
have their pressure checked every year or two.
Because of the rapid, potentially devastating results of narrow-angle
glaucoma, you should seek medical treatment immediately if you experience
any of the above symptoms.
During eye exams, your doctor will use tonometry to check your eye
pressure. After applying numbing drops, the tonometer is gently
pressed against the eye and its resistance is measured and recorded. |
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An ophthaolmoscope can be used to examine the shape
and color of your optic nerve. The ophthalmoscope magnifies and
lights up the inside of the eye. If the optic nerve appears to
be cupped or is not a healthy pink color, additional tests will
be run. |
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Gonioscopy is used to determine whether the angle
where the iris meets the cornea is open or closed, a key difference
between open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma. |
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Treatment for narrow-angle glaucoma:
Laser
iridotomy is a common treatment for narrow-angle glaucoma.
During this procedure, a laser is used to create a small hole in
the iris, restoring the flow of fluid to the front of the eye. In
most patients, the iridotomy is placed in the upper portion of the
iris, under the upper eyelid, where it cannot be seen.
Filtration
surgery is performed when medicines and/or laser surgery are
unsuccessful in controlling eye pressure. During this microscopic procedure,
a new drainage channel is created to allow fluid to drain from the
eye.
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