Narrow-angle glaucoma is very different from open-angle glaucoma in that eye pressure usually goes up very fast. This happens when the drainage canals get blocked or covered over. The iris gets pushed against the lens of the eye, shutting off the drainage angle. Sometimes the lens and the iris stick to each other. This results in pressure increasing suddenly, usually in one eye. There may be a feeling of fullness in the eye along with reddening, swelling and blurred vision.
Symptoms of narrow-angle glaucoma:
The onset of acute narrow-angle glaucoma is typically rapid, constituting an emergency. If not treated promptly, this glaucoma may produce blindness in the affected eye within hours to days. Symptoms may include:
- Inflammation and pain
- Pressure over the eye or extreme headache
- Moderate pupil dilation that is non-reactive to light
- Blurring and decreased visual acuity
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Seeing halos around lights
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Causes of narrow-angle glaucoma:
- Farsightedness
- Cataracts
- Anything that causes the pupil to dilate -- dim lighting, dilation drops
- Certain oral medications like cold medications, anti-histamines, incontinence medications, or abdominal medications
- Diabetes-related growth of abnormal blood vessels
Diagnosing narrow-angle glaucoma:
Everyone should be checked for glaucoma at around age 35 and again at age 40. Those considered at higher risk for narrow-angle glaucoma, including those who are Asian, farsighted or over the age of 60, should have their pressure checked every year or two.
Because of the rapid, potentially devastating results of narrow-angle glaucoma, you should consult your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms.
During eye exams, your doctor will use tonometry to check your eye pressure. After applying numbing drops, the tonometer is gently pressed against the eye and its resistance is measured and recorded.
A microscope is used to assess the angle structure of the eye, to determine if you are at risk for developing narrow-angle glaucoma. This is important because there is preventative treatment before the acute problem strikes.
An ophthalmoscope can be used to examine the shape and color of your optic nerve. The ophthalmoscope magnifies and lights up the inside of the eye. If the optic nerve appears to be damaged, or is not a healthy pink color, additional tests will be performed.
Gonioscopy is used to determine whether the angle where the iris meets the cornea is open or closed, a key difference between open-angle glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma.
Treatment for narrow-angle glaucoma:
The management of narrow-angle glaucoma is strictly surgical, unlike the more common open angle glaucoma that is managed in most cases with eye drops. If you have a narrow-angle attack or are at risk for angle closure, a laser procedure called a laser iridotomy is required.
Laser iridotomy is a common treatment for narrow-angle glaucoma. During this procedure, a laser is used to create a small hole in the iris, restoring the flow of fluid to the front of the eye. This procedure is performed in the office. Patients are typically able to drive home after the procedure is performed.
Filtration surgery is performed when medicines and/or laser surgery are unsuccessful in controlling eye pressure. During this microscopic procedure, a new drainage channel is created to allow fluid to drain from the eye.
Procedures:
 Filtration surgery |  Laser iridotomy |