Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that causes an increase in intraocular pressure.
It is called angle-closure glaucoma when the cause is a sudden obstruction of intraocular fluid drainage.
It manifests with intense pain in only one eye and loss of vision. It is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, headache and red eye. On examination the pupil is dilated and if there is inflammation of the cornea the iris (eye color) will be cloudy.
Diagnosis is clinical by interrogation and physical examination. It is confirmed by measuring ocular pressure; direct vision of the fundus can be performed to study the retina.
It requires urgent treatment. The first approach is with miotic drugs that reduce the size of the pupil, thus favoring ocular fluid drainage. Diuretics such as acetazolamide and/or mannitol will eliminate body fluid, helping to lower the pressure. Corticosteroids may be used to reduce the associated inflammation. However, as it is a disease with a clear anatomical basis, it will require surgery to modify the iris (iridectomy) or laser (iridotomy) to promote fluid drainage and avoid new episodes.
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