Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Revision as of 23:38, 1 March 2011 by Robot (talk | contribs)

Diagnosis

- IOP >30, usually higher (no definitive cut-off)

- deep conjunctival and episcleral injection in a circumlimbal fashion, ciliary flush, edematous "steamy" cornea, pupil mid-dilated and non-reactive

- shallow anterior chamber


Symptoms

- headache, ocular, facial pain

- nausea/vomiting

- visual acuity change, seeing "halos"


Treatment

- emergent ophthalmic consult

- ocular massage

IOP > 40mmHg

- immediately treat with timolol 0.5% concentration and/or apraclonidine 1%

IOP < 40mmHg: above plus...

- pilocarpine 2% +prednisolone acetate 1% every 15 minutes to abate the attack and reopen the angle

IOP < 30mmHg (maintenance):

- timolol (or equivalent) 0.5% BID

- pilocarpine 2% QID

- prednisolone acetate 1% QID

- oral acetazolamide 500mg BID


Definitive

- surgical iridectomy


  • Most miotics are ineffective at IOP > 40mmHg due to iris ischemia