Acute angle-closure glaucoma: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:PMC4614311 qmj-2015-01-0006-g002.png|thumb|Mechanism of acute angle closure.]]
[[File:PMC3991910 1471-2431-14-96-1.png|thumb|A. Slit lamp exam of the right eye demonstrating diffusely shallow AC, large pupil, and slightly injected conjunctiva. B. Normal slit lamp photograph of the right eye after resolution of acute angle closure C. Anterior segment of the right eye demonstrating abnormal anterior iris convexity, iridocorneal apposition at the angle, and an anterior lens vault D. Normal anterior segment of the right eye demonstrating horizontal iris, no iridocorneal apposition, anterior iris convexity, or anterior lens vault.]]
===Pathophysiology===
===Pathophysiology===
*Obstructed aqueous outflow tract → aqueous humor builds up → increased intraocular pressure (IOP) → optic nerve damage → vision loss
*Obstructed aqueous outflow tract → aqueous humor builds up → increased intraocular pressure (IOP) → optic nerve damage → vision loss
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[[File:Acute Angle Closure-glaucoma.jpg|thumb|Ciliary/circumcorneal flush and hazy cornea characteristic of acute angle closure glaucoma.]]
[[File:Acute Angle Closure-glaucoma.jpg|thumb|Ciliary/circumcorneal flush and hazy cornea characteristic of acute angle closure glaucoma.]]
[[File:Acute angle closure glaucoma.jpg|thumb|Right eye with mid-sized, fixed pupil and ciliary flush.]]
[[File:Acute angle closure glaucoma.jpg|thumb|Right eye with mid-sized, fixed pupil and ciliary flush.]]
[[File:PMC4601337 oed-7-2015-021f1.png|thumb|Acute angle-closure glaucoma with mid-dilated pupil and an intraocular pressure of 50 mmHg.]]
*Abrupt onset of severe (usually [[Red Eye (Unilateral)|unilateral) eye pain]]
*Abrupt onset of severe (usually [[Red Eye (Unilateral)|unilateral) eye pain]]
*Blurred vision
*[[Blurred vision]]
*Halos around lights
*Halos around lights
*Frontal or supraorbital [[headache]]
*Frontal or supraorbital [[headache]]
*[[Nausea]] / [[vomiting]] / [[abdominal pain]]
*[[Nausea]] / [[vomiting]] / [[abdominal pain]]
*Fixed, midposition pupil
*Hazy cornea
*Conjunctival injection most prominent at limbus (ciliary flush)
*Rock-hard globe


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Fixed, midposition pupil
[[File:PMC4614311 qmj-2015-01-0006-g001.png|thumb|(A) shallow anterior chamber at presentation (B) closed iridocorneal angles on gonioscopy.]]
*Hazy cornea
*[[intraocular pressure|IOP]] >20 mm Hg
*Conjunctival injection most prominent at limbus (ciliary flush)
*[[Slit lamp exam]] shows shallow anterior chamber and ''cell and flare''
*Rock-hard globe
*IOP >20 mm Hg
*Slit lamp exam shows shallow anterior chamber and ''cell and flare''


===Definition: 3 signs + 2 symptoms===
===Definition: 3 signs + 2 symptoms===
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#Emergent ophthalmology consult
#Emergent ophthalmology consult
#Recheck IOP at least hourly
#Recheck IOP at least hourly
#Supine position to decrease IOP
#Elevate head of bed to decrease IOP
#Place patient in a well lit room (prevent pupillary dilation)
#Place patient in a well lit room (prevent pupillary dilation)
#Start with a topical beta-blocker, α-blocker and PO [[acetazolamide]] if no contraindications
#Start with a topical beta-blocker, α-agonist and PO [[acetazolamide]] if no contraindications


===Decrease production of aqueous humor===
===Decrease production of aqueous humor===
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*1 drop in affected eye
*1 drop in affected eye


===α agonist===
===α2 agonist===
'''Brimonidine ophthalmic (αgan) 0.2%''' OR '''Apraclonidine ophthalmic 1%''':  
'''Brimonidine ophthalmic (alphagan) 0.2%''' OR '''Apraclonidine ophthalmic 1%''':  
*α agonist will increase trabecular outflow
*α agonist will increase trabecular outflow
*1 drop in affected eye
*1 drop in affected eye
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===Reduce volume of aqueous humor===
===Reduce volume of aqueous humor===
These therapies are usually resolved for failure of other treatments. Hyper osmotic agents such as mannitol are effective but are contraindicated in renal failure and can cause hypotension in the volume depleted patient.
These therapies are usually reserved for failure of other treatments. Hyper osmotic agents such as mannitol are effective but are contraindicated in renal failure and can cause hypotension in the volume depleted patient.
*'''[[Mannitol]]''': 1-2 g/kg IV (most common)
*'''[[Mannitol]]''': 1-2 g/kg IV given over 45 minutes to minimize cerebral effecfts (most common)
*'''50% glycerin (Osmoglyn)''' OR '''45% isosorbide (Ismotic)''': 1.5 mL/kg PO (rarely used)
*'''50% glycerin (Osmoglyn)''' OR '''45% isosorbide (Ismotic)''': 1.5 mL/kg PO (rarely used)


===[[Steriods]]===
===[[Steroids]]===
Topical steroids not indicated during acute attack, but may help inflammation after IOP under control.
*Topical steroids not indicated during acute attack, but may help inflammation after IOP under control.
**[[Prednisolone]] acetate 1% 1 gtt every 15 to 30 minutes four times, then q1h <ref>Guluma, K., & Lee, J. E. (2018). Ophthalmology. In Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice (9th ed.). Philadephia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders.</ref>
 
==Disposition==


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 17:44, 26 September 2020

Background

Mechanism of acute angle closure.
A. Slit lamp exam of the right eye demonstrating diffusely shallow AC, large pupil, and slightly injected conjunctiva. B. Normal slit lamp photograph of the right eye after resolution of acute angle closure C. Anterior segment of the right eye demonstrating abnormal anterior iris convexity, iridocorneal apposition at the angle, and an anterior lens vault D. Normal anterior segment of the right eye demonstrating horizontal iris, no iridocorneal apposition, anterior iris convexity, or anterior lens vault.

Pathophysiology

  • Obstructed aqueous outflow tract → aqueous humor builds up → increased intraocular pressure (IOP) → optic nerve damage → vision loss
  • Increased posterior chamber pressure causes iris to bulge forward (iris bombé) → further obstruction of outflow tract → further increase IOP
  • Acute attack is usually precipitated by pupillary dilation

Clinical Features

Ciliary/circumcorneal flush and hazy cornea characteristic of acute angle closure glaucoma.
Right eye with mid-sized, fixed pupil and ciliary flush.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma with mid-dilated pupil and an intraocular pressure of 50 mmHg.

Differential Diagnosis

Unilateral red eye

^Emergent diagnoses ^^Critical diagnoses

Evaluation

(A) shallow anterior chamber at presentation (B) closed iridocorneal angles on gonioscopy.

Definition: 3 signs + 2 symptoms

  • At least 3 of these signs:
    • IOP >21 mm Hg
    • Conjunctival injection
    • Corneal epithelial edema
    • Mid-dilated nonreactive pupil
    • Shallow anterior chamber with occlusion
  • At least 2 of these symptoms:
    • Ocular pain
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • History of intermittent blurring of vision with halos

Management

Goal of medical therapy is to 'break the attack' in order to prepare the patient for laser iridotomy.[1]

  1. Emergent ophthalmology consult
  2. Recheck IOP at least hourly
  3. Elevate head of bed to decrease IOP
  4. Place patient in a well lit room (prevent pupillary dilation)
  5. Start with a topical beta-blocker, α-agonist and PO acetazolamide if no contraindications

Decrease production of aqueous humor

Timolol 0.5%:

  • Blocks beta receptors on ciliary epithelium
  • 1 drop in affected eye, repeat in 1 hour if needed.

Acetazolamide:

  • Blocks productions of HCO3-, which draws Na+ into the eye; water follows by osmosis to form aqueous humour
  • 500mg IV or PO (PO preferred unless patient is nauseated)
  • Can substitute methazolamide 100mg if patient has renal failure.
  • Contraindicated in sickle cell patients

Dorzolamide (Trusopt) 2%:

  • topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
  • 1 drop in affected eye

α2 agonist

Brimonidine ophthalmic (alphagan) 0.2% OR Apraclonidine ophthalmic 1%:

  • α agonist will increase trabecular outflow
  • 1 drop in affected eye

Facilitate outflow of aqueous humor

Pilocarpine 1%–2%:

  • Parasympatholytic alkaloid acts on muscarinic receptors found on iris sphincter muscle → causes muscle to contract → miosis → pulls iris away from trabecular network
  • 1 drop in affected eye every 15 minutes x 2-4 doses, then every 4 to 6 hours
  • Likely does not work until IOP drops below 40-50 mmHg, but still give immediately upon diagnosis
  • Note: may make fundoscopic evaluation more difficult for ophtho consultant due to miosis

Reduce volume of aqueous humor

These therapies are usually reserved for failure of other treatments. Hyper osmotic agents such as mannitol are effective but are contraindicated in renal failure and can cause hypotension in the volume depleted patient.

  • Mannitol: 1-2 g/kg IV given over 45 minutes to minimize cerebral effecfts (most common)
  • 50% glycerin (Osmoglyn) OR 45% isosorbide (Ismotic): 1.5 mL/kg PO (rarely used)

Steroids

  • Topical steroids not indicated during acute attack, but may help inflammation after IOP under control.
    • Prednisolone acetate 1% 1 gtt every 15 to 30 minutes four times, then q1h [2]

Disposition

See Also

References

  1. Primary Angle Closure Preferred Practice Pattern Guideline. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Angle Closure PPP Accessed 06/17/15.
  2. Guluma, K., & Lee, J. E. (2018). Ophthalmology. In Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice (9th ed.). Philadephia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders.