Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and increase the risk of vision loss. Several types exist, but at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma, where Anand Bhatt, MD, and our team provide highly specialized glaucoma care, we most commonly treat narrow angle and acute angle closure glaucoma.
Here, we explain how narrow angle and acute angle closure glaucoma differ and highlight how a treatment like laser iridotomy can help preserve your vision.
Narrow angle glaucoma, also known as closed angle glaucoma, is a serious condition that prevents fluid from draining from your eyes. All human eyes produce a fluid called aqueous humor that provides nutrients and helps regulate eye pressure. However, if the channels around your iris don’t allow this fluid to drain, it can cause an increase in your eye (or intraocular) pressure and damage your optic nerve.
This pressure buildup typically occurs slowly, over time, so many people with the condition don’t realize anything is wrong until they begin losing their vision.
Acute angle closure glaucoma also causes the aqueous humor to build up at the back of your eye and damage your optic nerve. The difference is that acute angle closure glaucoma causes a sudden increase in eye pressure, so vision loss occurs rapidly, sometimes within a few hours or days.
Because of this risk, acute closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency and must be treated immediately. Telltale signs include a sudden eye pain, severe headaches, blurred vision, and nausea.
Since glaucoma affects everyone differently and presents varying symptoms, the best way to detect it before it causes an acute attack is to schedule regular eye exams. We encourage everyone to make these appointments annually, but if you have a family history of glaucoma, more frequent checkups may be necessary.
Typically, a glaucoma screening involves several tests, including gonioscopy, which assesses the drainage angles in your eyes, a slit-lamp test, which lets us see the insides and backs of your eyes, and tests to measure intraocular (or eye) pressure.
If we determine you’re at risk of either type of glaucoma, we develop a custom treatment plan. While there’s no cure, a procedure like a laser iridotomy can help prevent it from worsening.
A laser iridotomy is an outpatient procedure that uses targeted light energy (lasers) to make a small hole in your iris, allowing the aqueous humor to flow freely. If you have acute angle closure glaucoma, we may recommend this procedure immediately for both your eyes. Only treating one can increase fluid pressure in the other eye, so it’s better to prevent that from happening.
We also use laser iridotomy to treat narrow angle glaucoma. However, since this type of glaucoma develops more slowly, we usually prescribe medication to help stabilize your eye pressure first. After your eye pressure improves, a laser iridotomy can help your aqueous humor flow more freely, providing long-lasting results.
Dr. Bhatt and his team at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma have years of experience diagnosing and treating all types of glaucoma. Don’t wait to seek treatment if you’re concerned about your risk.
Schedule a consultation today by calling our office in Santa Ana, California, at 714-541-4185 or using the online booking feature.
