Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of glaucoma: "Angle-closure glaucoma" is a serious eye condition. It occurs when the iris (the colored part of the eye) moves forward and physically blocks the drainage angle where the eye's fluid (aqueous humor) normally exits. This blockage causes a rapid and dangerous increase in pressure inside the eye.

Usage

• "Angle-closure glaucoma" is a medical term used by healthcare professionals. It describes a specific mechanism of disease, differentiating it from the more common "open-angle glaucoma."
• It is often used in patient diagnoses, medical literature, and discussions about ocular emergencies.

Examples

• The patient was diagnosed with angle-closure glaucoma after complaining of severe eye pain and blurred vision.
• Angle-closure glaucoma is considered a medical emergency because it can lead to permanent vision loss very quickly.
• The ophthalmologist explained that the symptoms were characteristic of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Advanced Usage

• "Acute angle-closure glaucoma": This phrase specifies a sudden, painful attack with a very rapid rise in eye pressure. It is an ocular emergency.
  • The patient was rushed to the hospital suffering from acute angle-closure glaucoma.
• "Chronic angle-closure glaucoma": This phrase describes a slower, progressive form where the angle closes gradually over time, often with fewer acute symptoms initially.
  • The disease was managed as chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

Variants and Related Words

• Closed-angle glaucoma (noun): A direct synonym for "angle-closure glaucoma."
• Narrow-angle glaucoma (noun): Another synonym, emphasizing the anatomical predisposition of a narrow drainage angle.
• Open-angle glaucoma (noun): The contrasting, more common form of glaucoma where the drainage angle is open but functions poorly.

Synonyms

• Closed-angle glaucoma
• Narrow-angle glaucoma

Related Medical Terms (Not Synonyms)

• Intraocular pressure (IOP): The fluid pressure inside the eye, which becomes dangerously high in angle-closure glaucoma.
• Iridotomy: A laser surgical procedure often used to treat or prevent angle-closure glaucoma by creating a small hole in the iris.
• Ocular hypertension: High eye pressure, which is a key feature of glaucoma.

Noun

1. glaucoma in which the iris blocks the outflow of aqueous humor
   • closed-angle glaucoma can cause a rapid buildup of high intraocular pressure that results in permanent visual damage in a couple of days