Carolinas Centers For Sight

What is Glaucoma? | Open-Angle Glaucoma | Angle-Closure Glaucoma | Pigmentary Glaucoma | Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma | Inflammatory Glaucoma |  Neovascular Glaucoma

Angle-closure Glaucoma

In acute primary angle-closure glaucoma, the flow of aqueous humor (thick watery substance filling the space between the lens and the cornea) out of the eye is physically blocked by the iris. The iris, which rests abnormally close to the cornea becomes adherent to the trabecular meshwork (drain). Intraocular pressure is elevated and the patient typically has excruciating pain, redness, blurred vision, and in some cases, nausea. Halos may be seen around lights.

Neovascular glaucoma is a special situation caused by blockages in retinal veins or arteries or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This glaucoma develops slowly due to new blood vessels growing at the pupil margin, extending over the iris and into the drainage angle between the cornea and the iris. Symptoms include chronically red, painful eye, headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light.

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