Acute angle-closure glaucoma

How is AACG treated?

Emergency referral to ophthalmology Acetazolamide IV 500mg Timolol 0.5% eye drops Apraclonidine 1% eye drops Peripheral iridotomy - create an alternative aqueous outflow passageway to circumvent pupil block

What are the causes of AACG?

Failure of the aqueous humor to pass through the pupil and drain out through the trabecular meshwork because of: Iris being pushed forward against the trabecular meshwork Pupil block

List 6 risk factors for AACG

Hypermetropia (smaller eyes, shallow anterior chamber with narrower angle) Narrow anterior chamber angles (between cornea and iris) Family history Age (lens thickens and pushes the iris forwards) Race (shallow anterior chamber in Asians) Female

What path does the aqueous humor take?

Produced by the ciliary body in the posterior chamber Circulates to the anterior chamber through the pupil Leaves via the trabecular meshwork to the canal of Schlemm

List 5 signs of AACG

Reduced visual acuity Increased intraocular pressure Corneal oedema Hypermetropia Oval unreactive pupils

List 5 symptoms of AACG

Unilateral vision loss Unilateral red eye Pain Halos around lights Nausea and vomiting (May also be previous intermittent symptoms, or asymptomatic)