Angle closure glaucoma is a disorder of progressive optic nerve damage characterized by an increased intraocular pressure. Obstruction of aqueous humor flow in the anterior chamber causes sudden vision impairment and headaches. A rapid diagnosis is necessary, as blindness can occur without adequate treatment.
Presentation
The clinical presentation of angle closure glaucoma stems from sudden increases in intraocular pressure (IOP), with possible triggers being dim lighting or use of drugs that induce pupillary dilation (eg. anticholinergics), ciliary body swelling (eg. topiramate) [1]. Moreover, anterior placement of the lens (most commonly caused by the gradual development of cataract) [2], myopia, hyperopia, a shallow anterior chamber, but also advanced age and female gender have all been established as potential risk factors for this type of glaucoma [3] [4]. Only about a third of cases develop an acute exacerbation of IOP changes, however, but increased IOP may not cause marked eye-related symptoms in the beginning [5]. Unfortunately, patients frequently report when profound visual deficits have already occurred, especially in chronic forms, thus reducing the chance of total sight repair [4] [5]. Most prominent symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma are blurred vision, redness of the eye, ocular discomfort, colored halos around lights and frontal headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Gastrointestinal complaints and headaches may mislead the physician by suggesting a gastrointestinal or central nervous system origin of symptoms [1] [3], and it is not uncommon for glaucoma patients to undergo detailed gastrointestinal or CNS workup prior to their diagnosis [2]. In some patients, a prolonged (chronic) clinical course may be observed, distinguished by ocular discomfort and headaches that are alleviated with sleep [1]. In the setting of a delayed diagnosis, irreversible blindness can occur rapidly, which is why early recognition is detrimental in achieving good outcomes [4].
Entire Body System
- Lower Extremity Pain
A 68-year-old Caucasian woman presented with persistent low back and left lower extremity pain. History was remarkable for L5 radicular pain, spinal stenosis, and an L3-L4 laminectomy performed 6 months previously. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Wheelchair Bound
We hope that this case report may help prevent vision loss and optimize quality of life in patients with MLS who may be wheelchair-bound but are typically high functioning with normal intelligence. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gastrointestinal
- Nausea
We present a case of a 63-year-old woman who presented to an ED with bifrontal headache, nausea and vomiting and reduced visual acuity. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma may include: Hazy or blurred vision The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights Severe eye and head pain Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain) Sudden sight loss In contrast with open-angle [glaucoma.org]
Skin
- Photosensitivity
During evaluation of the drug-induced angioedema in the internal medicine department, systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed, based on malar rash, photosensitivity, proteinuria, and positive anti-Smith and anti-DNA antibodies, followed by initiation [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Photosensitivity and increased lacrimation of the left eye were present, along with associated nausea. The patient denied any ocular trauma or previous surgery. [mdedge.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Neck Pain
She had persistent dry cough while taking medication for 3 months, and had usual posterior neck pain, which was treated with analgesic medication and Asian medicines. Intraocular pressure was 32 and 34 mmHg in her right and left eyes, respectively. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Joint Stiffness
Weill Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare condition characterized by short stature, brachydactyly, joint stiffness, and characteristic eye abnormalities including microspherophakia, ectopia of the lens, severe myopia, and glaucoma. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Brachydactyly
Weill Marchesani syndrome (WMS) is a rare condition characterized by short stature, brachydactyly, joint stiffness, and characteristic eye abnormalities including microspherophakia, ectopia of the lens, severe myopia, and glaucoma. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Eyes
- Blurred Vision
CASE REPORT: A 23 year-old woman developed bilateral severe blurred vision seven days after initiating therapy with topiramate. Her visual acuity was counting fingers in both eyes. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
As the pressure rises, the ache worsens, and visual symptoms worsen with blurred vision as the eye cornea clouds over. [clinicalondon.co.uk]
Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma may include: Hazy or blurred vision The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights Severe eye and head pain Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain) Sudden sight loss In contrast with open-angle [glaucoma.org]
- Eye Pain
All patients with inherited retinopathy presenting with a headache or eye pain should undergo gonioscopic examination to exclude angle-closure glaucoma. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
She rated the pain as a “9” out of “10” on a pain scale; she described the pain as constant, with throbbing behind her left eye. There was no pain associated with extraocular movements. [mdedge.com]
Symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma may include: Hazy or blurred vision The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights Severe eye and head pain Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain) Sudden sight loss In contrast with open-angle [glaucoma.org]
Our case is remarkable because of the clear temporal relationship between development of acute eye pain and the rapid drop in plasma glucose levels. [care.diabetesjournals.org]
Some early symptoms in people at risk for angle-closure glaucoma include blurred vision, halos in their vision, headache, mild eye pain or redness. People who are at risk for developing angle-closure glaucoma should have a laser iridotomy. [sharecare.com]
- Retinal Pigmentation
Fundus examination disclosed punctate hypopigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium mainly at the posterior pole. Optical coherence tomography showed foveal schisis appearing as small retinal cysts. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Retinal Cyst
Fundus examination disclosed punctate hypopigmentation of the retinal pigment epithelium mainly at the posterior pole. Optical coherence tomography showed foveal schisis appearing as small retinal cysts. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Face, Head & Neck
- Facial Pain
When symptoms of acute angle glaucoma do develop, they may include severe eye and facial pain, nausea and vomiting, decreased vision, blurred vision and seeing haloes around light. [medicinenet.com]
- Malar Rash
During evaluation of the drug-induced angioedema in the internal medicine department, systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed, based on malar rash, photosensitivity, proteinuria, and positive anti-Smith and anti-DNA antibodies, followed by initiation [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Urogenital
- Oliguria
A 62-year-old man visited our emergency center with signs of sepsis (fever, leukocytosis, and oliguria). After 4 days of hospitalization, the patient reported blurred vision. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Neurologic
- Headache
In some patients, a prolonged (chronic) clinical course may be observed, distinguished by ocular discomfort and headaches that are alleviated with sleep. [symptoma.com]
We present a case of a 63-year-old woman who presented to an ED with bifrontal headache, nausea and vomiting and reduced visual acuity. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Symptoms of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack include severe ocular pain and redness, decreased vision, colored halos, headache, nausea and vomiting. [sharecare.com]
Workup
Patients must be promptly evaluated through a detailed examination of the eye [5]. IOP of more than 30 mmHg (physiological range is between 10 and 23 mmHg) is encountered in virtually all patients suffering from glaucoma, while other findings include a fixed mid-dilated pupil (4-6 mm) that reacts poorly to direct illumination, a hazy cornea that may be edematous, hyperemia of the conjunctiva and a shallow anterior chamber [3]. The presence of adhesions between the iris and the angle structure, termed peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), can cause obstruction of the trabecular meshwork and are frequently encountered in angle closure glaucoma patients as well [3]. These findings can be confirmed either by performing gonioscopy or through a slit-lamp examination [5], while more specialized techniques have been developed to confirm angle closure. Ultrasound biomicroscopy, which is able to acquire real-time images of structures that potentially cause obstruction of the canal, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography, used to evaluate the anterior chamber, are imaging methods that are recommended for glaucoma workup by more skilled ophthalmologists [5].
Treatment
Even if it does not represent the first choice of treatment, it can be taken into consideration when the topical treatment does not control the intraocular pressure (IOP) and iridotomy does not have a positive effect on the angle closure, especially in [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prognosis
Disc hemorrhages are not particularly rare in primary angle-closure glaucoma and may be a sign of a poor prognosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The prognosis for eyes with neovascular glaucoma is poor (see Fig. 10.20a and b). Trauma. [alpfmedical.info]
Comorbid pathology will increase the risk of complications (especially if additional treatment is needed) and result in a more guarded prognosis. [patient.info]
Etiology
In angle closure glaucoma, clear lens extraction represents an etiological treatment that takes into account the role of the lens in the pathogenesis of the disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
PREOPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS Determine the etiology. Of first importance is to determine the underlying etiology of angle narrowing, as the approach to cataract surgery will differ depending on the pathology. [crstodayeurope.com]
Our report highlights the importance of recognizing the often multifactorial etiology of angle closure glaucoma to help guide clinical management. [dovepress.com]
Epidemiology
Broad MeSH terms and keywords were used combining terms related to epidemiology (including MeSH search using exp prevalence *, and exp epidemiology *, and keyword search using words prevalence, epidemiology, and incidence ), terms related to disease [journals.plos.org]
12 December 2014 Research on the epidemiology and mechanisms of angle-closure glaucoma has influenced understanding, guidelines and clinical management of the condition around the world. [ucl.ac.uk]
We discuss these findings together with other related epidemiological factors. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Reprints: Yuan Bo Liang, MD, PhD, Clinical & Epidemiological Eye Research Center, The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 270 West College Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China (e-mail: [email protected] ). [journals.lww.com]
Department of Epidemiology & International Eye Health UCL Institute of Ophthalmology London UK [link.springer.com]
Pathophysiology
This report presents the diagnosis, pathophysiologic mechanism, and management of a patient with both high myopia and bilateral advanced phacomorphic angle-closure glaucoma caused by isolated spherophakia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevention
Targeting the lens and the angle structures and adjacent tissues simultaneously may be a promising approach in both the prevention of further angle closure, modulating the pressure, and prevention of cataract progression. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
This review asks whether ACG can be prevented on a population basis. [nature.com]
Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial of laser iridotomy for the prevention of angle closure in southern China: the Zhongshan Angle Closure Prevention trial. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2010;17(5):321–332. Tham CC, Lai JS, Lam DS. [healio.com]
References
- Porter RS, Kaplan JL. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 19th Edition. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Whitehouse Station, N.J; 2011.
- Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
- Pokhrel PK, Loftus SA. Ocular emergencies. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76(6):829.
- Azuara-Blanco A, Burr J, Ramsay C, Cooper D, Foster PJ, Friedman DS, et al. Effectiveness of early lens extraction for the treatment of primary angle-closure glaucoma (EAGLE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2016;388(10052):1389-1397.
- Weinreb RN, Aung T, Medeiros FA. The Pathophysiology and Treatment of Glaucoma: A Review. JAMA. 2014;311(18):1901-1911.