Course features of angle-closure glaucoma

Abstract

Glaucoma is a disease with multiple etiologies, which is based on increased intraocular pressure, leading to impaired visual fields and pathology of the optic nerve. Increase in the hydrodynamic load on the optic nerve disk occurs as a result of increased pressure, this is gradually leads to its atrophy. Progressive narrowing of the visual fields is another classic sign of glaucoma. This disease is one of the main causes of vision loss and related disability in the population. There are three main forms of glaucoma – primary open-angle, primary angle-closure, and secondary glaucoma, which develops against the background of existing eye pathology (diabetic retinopathy, acute iridocyclitis, post-thrombotic ophthalmopathy). Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease, which usually affects older people. The angle-closure form of glaucoma is less common, but it poses a great danger. Often this form of the disease is observed against the background of existing hypermetropia. This type of primary glaucoma develops as a result of impaired outflow in the drainage system of the eye due to the collapse of Schlemm's canal. Anterior chamber is significantly reduced in size or even disappears, and the lens is closely adjacent to the cornea. Angle-closure glaucoma has a paroxysmal form, rapid progression, and a less favorable prognosis. An acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma in some cases requires immediate hospitalization with subsequent surgical intervention.