Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

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PACG Basics - Eye Under Pressure

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Mechanisms & Stages - The Closure Story

  • Mechanisms:
    • Pupillary Block (>90%): Relative (lens-iris apposition) or absolute (posterior synechiae) → iris bombé → iridotrabecular contact (ITC).
    • Plateau Iris: Anterior ciliary processes push peripheral iris into angle. "Double hump sign".
    • Lens-induced: Phacomorphic, subluxation.
    • Malignant Glaucoma: Posterior aqueous misdirection.
  • Stages (ISGEO Classification):
    • PACS:180° ITC; normal IOP, no PAS, no optic disc damage.
    • PAC: PACS criteria + (PAS or ↑IOP); no glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON).

      Pupillary block is the predominant mechanism in over 90% of Primary Angle Closure cases.

    • PACG: PAC criteria + GON.
    • Acute Angle Closure Crisis (AACG): Sudden, severe IOP ↑; pain, blurred vision (corneal edema), halos, nausea.

Open vs Closed Angle OCT and Gonioscopy

Symptoms & Signs - Spotting the Attack

  • Acute Angle-Closure Crisis (Ophthalmic Emergency):
    • Symptoms:
      • Sudden, severe unilateral ocular pain, may radiate.
      • Blurred vision ("steamy"), halos around lights.
      • Nausea, vomiting (oculocardiac reflex).
      • Headache, photophobia.
    • Signs:
      • IOP markedly ↑ (often > 40-50 mmHg).
      • Ciliary flush (circumcorneal injection).
      • Corneal edema (hazy cornea).
      • Shallow anterior chamber (AC).
      • Pupil: mid-dilated, fixed or sluggishly reactive, often vertically oval.
      • Gonioscopy: Confirms closed angle (e.g., Shaffer Grade 0). Acute angle closure glaucoma eye
  • Intermittent (Subacute) Angle Closure:
    • Transient blurred vision, halos (e.g., in dim light, movies).
    • Mild eye ache or frontal headache.
    • Symptoms resolve spontaneously (e.g., sleep, bright light).

⭐ The classic triad of acute angle-closure crisis includes severe ocular pain, blurred vision with halos around lights, and nausea/vomiting.

Diagnosis & Management - Opening the Gates

  • Diagnosis:

    • Gonioscopy: Gold standard (ITC, PAS).
    • UBM/AS-OCT: Angle/ciliary body imaging.
  • Management Goal: ↓IOP, open angle, prevent ON damage.

  • Acute Attack:

    • Medical:
      • Topical: Timolol 0.5%, Apraclonidine 1%, Pilocarpine 2% (post-IOP drop).
      • Systemic: Acetazolamide 500mg, Mannitol 1-2 g/kg IV.
    • Laser:

      Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is the definitive first-line treatment for eyes with pupillary block mechanism in PAC Suspect, PAC, and PACG.

    • Acute Management Steps:
  • Chronic/Post-LPI:

    • Topical IOP-lowering meds.
    • ALPI (plateau iris).
    • Lens extraction/Trabeculectomy (if needed). Laser Peripheral Iridotomy Procedure

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Pupillary block is the most common mechanism in PACG.
  • Risk factors: hypermetropia, female, older age, Asian ethnicity.
  • Acute attack: sudden painful red eye, halos, nausea, mid-dilated fixed pupil, ↑↑IOP.
  • Gonioscopy confirms occludable angles, essential for diagnosis.
  • Acute treatment: Medical (IV mannitol, acetazolamide, pilocarpine) then Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI).
  • LPI is the definitive treatment for pupillary block PACG.
  • Chronic PACG is often asymptomatic with progressive optic nerve damage.

Practice Questions: Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

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Pilocarpine is used in all of the following except:

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Flashcards: Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

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Gonioscopy in glaucomatocyclitic crisis shows a(n) _____-angle.

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Gonioscopy in glaucomatocyclitic crisis shows a(n) _____-angle.

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