Acute angle-closure glaucoma presents as a sudden onset of severe unilateral eye pain or a headache associated with blurred vision, rainbow-colored halos around bright lights, nausea, and vomiting. The physical exam will reveal a fixed midpoint pupil and a hazy or cloudy cornea with marked conjunctival injection (most prominent at the limbus). Intraocular pressure will be elevated and can be as high as 60 to 80 mm Hg in an acute attack. A mild amount of aqueous flare and cells may be seen. The optic nerve may also be swollen during an acute attack.[8][9]

Measuring of an elevated intraocular pressure is diagnostic. There is no need for any imaging studies. A basic metabolic panel should be checked if osmotic agents are used in the treatment regime. A gonioscopic examination by an ophthalmologist to verify angle-closure makes the definitive diagnosis. Gonioscopy of the unaffected eye will reveal a narrow occludable angle given the anatomic predisposing factors to acute angle-closure glaucoma (See other issues for further discussion). Glaucomflecken (grey-white opacities on the anterior lens capsule) may be visible if previous attacks of angle-closure glaucoma have occurred.[10]

The medical treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma aims to decrease the intraocular pressure by blocking the production of aqueous humor, increasing the outflow of aqueous humor, and reducing the volume of the aqueous humor.[11][12]

Initial medical therapy includes a combination of the following medications:

• Intravenous acetazolamide 500 mg to block the production of aqueous humor.
• Intravenous mannitol 1 to 2 grams/kg can be given (if there is no contraindication) to rapidly reduce the volume of aqueous humor.
• Topical Beta-Blocker (Timolol 0.5%) one drop to block the production of aqueous humor.
• Topical Alpha 2-Agonist (Apraclonidine 1%) one drop to block the production of aqueous humor.
• Topical Pilocarpine 1% to 2% one drop every 15 minutes for two doses once intraocular pressure is below 40 mm Hg to increase the outflow of aqueous humor. This is not effective at higher pressures due to pressure-induced ischemic paralysis of the iris.

Intraocular pressure needs to be checked every hour.

Definitive treatment is peripheral iridectomy after the acute episode subsides. Laser iridectomy is the treatment of choice. Surgical iridectomy is indicated when laser iridectomy can not be accomplished. Iridectomy relieves the pupillary block as the pressure between the posterior and anterior chamber approaches zero by allowing the flow of aqueous humor through a different route. Iridectomy should be as peripheral as possible and covered by the eyelid to avoid monocular diplopia through this second hole in the pupil.[13]

• Allergic conjunctivitis

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

• Viral conjunctivitis 

• Drug-induced glaucoma

• Malignant glaucoma

• Neovascular glaucoma

• Phacomorphic glaucoma

• Senile cataract (Age-Related Cataract)

• Lens subluxation[14]

• Migraine headache[15]

• Cluster headache

• Suprachoroidal hemorrhage

The prognosis depends on early detection and prompt treatment of acute closed-angle glaucoma. A study conducted on 116 cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma concluded that the delay in presentation and the time taken to end the acute episode was the most important factor in determining the final outcome of these patients. High intraocular pressure was less effective in determining the long-term prognosis of this condition.[16]

If acute closed-angle glaucoma is not detected and treated in its initial stages, it can lead to temporary loss of vision or blindness. There is a loss of peripheral vision, followed by a loss of central vision. In patients with peripheral patent iridotomy, there can be a significant increase in IOP, with a flat anterior chamber. This condition is called malignant glaucoma. This condition is difficult to treat and progressively leads to blindness.[17]

Patients with a history of acute angle-closure glaucoma should avoid dim light. Pupils dilate in response to dim light, further narrowing the iridocorneal angle. Patients with hypermetropia are at an increased risk of developing angle-closure glaucoma.

An untreated fellow eye has a 40% to 80% chance of developing an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma over 5-10 years as it shares the same anatomic predisposing factors of the first eye.[18] Hence peripheral iridectomy should be performed in the fellow eye as well as the affected eye.

The gender and ethnicity predisposing factors to acute angle-closure glaucoma hint at a genetic predisposition to the disease in certain populations. Recent large-scale studies have shown a clear association to several genes and genetic loci with primary open-angle glaucoma, but evidence for acute angle-closure glaucoma is sparse. So far, only one study has shown a genetic locus on Chromosome 11 that can cause acute angle-closure glaucoma. Studies have been conducted on possible therapeutic targets in patients with early-onset glaucoma based on molecular and cellular events caused by MYOC, OPTN, and TBK1 mutations.[19]

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is best managed by an interprofessional team that also includes an ophthalmology nurse and the pharmacist. After managing the emergency with eye drops, the patient should be scheduled for an iridectomy. Clinicians need to be aware that the other eye is also at risk for acute angle-closure glaucoma and prophylactic surgery is recommended.

The outcomes for patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma are good after treatment, however, delay in treatment can lead to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.