Diagnosis and treatment of angle-closure glaucoma

Abstract

Glaucoma is a polyetiological disease, which is based on increased intraocular pressure, leading to impaired visual fields and pathology of the optic nerve. As a result of increased pressure, there is an increase in the hydrodynamic load on the optic disc, gradually leading to its atrophy. Progressive narrowing of visual fields is another classic sign of glaucoma. This disease is one of the main causes of vision loss and related disability of the population. There are three main forms of glaucoma: primary open-angle, primary closed-angle, and secondary glaucoma, which develops against the background of the existing pathology of the organs of vision (diabetic retinopathy, acute iridocyclitis, post-thrombotic oculopathy). Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease, usually affecting the elderly. Angle-closure glaucoma is less common, but it is more dangerous. This form of the disease is often observed against the background of existing hypermetropia. This type of primary glaucoma develops as a result of a violation of the outflow in the drainage system of the eye due to the occlusion of the internal scleral sinus. In this case, the anterior chamber is significantly reduced in size or even disappears, and the lens is close to the cornea. Angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by a paroxysmal course, rapid progression, and a less favorable prognosis. In some cases, an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma requires immediate hospitalization with subsequent surgical intervention.