What’s the difference between open and closed-angle glaucoma?
Open-angle glaucoma, also called chronic glaucoma, is what the majority of glaucoma patients suffer from. In this condition, aqueous fluid does not drain well out of the eye. One theory is that the trabecular meshwork filter may have microscopic particles clogging it and slowing down fluid movement.
Closed angle glaucoma, also called acute glaucoma, is an ophthalmologic emergency. This occurs when the iris bows forward and completely blocks fluid access to the trabecular meshwork entirely. The pressure builds up in a positive feedback loop, the patient has excruciating eye pain, and vision is lost quickly.
If you want to use an analogy, think of the eye as a kitchen sink. In chronic open-angle glaucoma, there is debris in the pipes (rust, food, hair) that slows down drainage of fluid. We treat this by giving medications that work like drain-o. With acute glaucoma, there is a rubber stopper floating around in the bottom of the sink that suddenly blocks the drain. Water quickly rises and overflows the sink. We treat this by punching a hole in the rubber stopper (a laser iridotomy).
SOORY, IT NEED FURTHER ELABORATINS
THANK YOU.
Wow! Thanks! It really helps to start with a cool analogy like that before you start going over the “elaborations” in the text book. Thanks again!
excellent explanation
the answer that i’m scarching for
Short and sweet. Perfect with the help of analogy, sufficient for people who never studied on this field to understand
Very nicely explained!
Thank you for this easy-to-understand explanation. I especially love the analogy. This is exactly what I need to under the very basic difference between the two. Thank you once again.
rhan
the kitchen e.g is fantastic ….it make me easier to understand the difference.. thanks
kuul….Nice answer..
A+++++++++++
love you all
this has helped me demystify the mystery that exists between these 2 entities – thank you so much –
Cheers, great answer !
Thank you very much for this simple but great information! I will always remember the difference now with that kitchen sink analogy!
Thanks
excellent analogy of open and closed glaucoma.
Thank you very much for u r simple but poerful explanation.
its easy to understand with such daily life examples.. thanks!
Thank you great explanation
Thanks for the wonderful explanation.
1. Does punctum have any role in glaucoma?
Could someone tell me if/how there is a way to tell them apart on fundoscopy images?
excellent analogy
Great explanation, shortand sweet. Great analogy! Thanks!
simplest explaination
Thanks so much. so well done.
nicely explained..thanku so much
very fudu answer
nice explanation
elaborate a little more.plz
VERY WELL EXPLAINED! JUS TO FURTHER ELABORATE,GLAUCOMA CAN BE CAUSED BY EITHER:
1)OVER PRODUCTION OF AQUEOUS HUMOUR IN THE EYE OR;
2)UNDER DRAINAGE OF THE AQUEOUS HUMOUR
AND CAN BE TREATED WITH EITHER PERIPHERAL OR LASER IRIDOTOMY SURGERY; OR THE FFG. DRUGS IF CHRONIC:
1) ACETAZOLAMIDE- carbonic anhydrase inhbitor; that prevents the production of carbonic acid which inturn prevents leakage of sodium ions into the eye were the vitrous humour is produced.
2)HYPEROSMOTIC AGENTS-EG. MANNITOL
3) MIOTIC AGENTS-eg.PILOCARPINE 2%- That cause miosis(pupil constriction) in order to pull the iris from the trebecular meshwork.
4) ANALGESICS -for the associated pain the patients experiance
5)ANTIEMETICS – for the associated nausea and vomitting (if present)
and note that PILOCARPINE 2% Can be used as a prophylactic agent (ie. to prevent furher damage of glaucoma if the patient is scheduled for surgery…
hope this helps from a pharmaceutical perspective! 🙂
NELOSHINI.NAICKER
B.Pharm
Excellent. Dr had to punch “my stopper” 13 times on rt eye and 3 times on the left!
couldnt be explained any better,thank you so much
thank you for that very clear explanation of open vs closed angle glaucoma.
Hitting da nail at the head Bravo
Thank you for explaining the difference. I didn’t realize there were different types. Your illustration was very helpful as well.
Succinct!!!
thanx it is to understand
easy to understand for mbbs students
excellent explanation
I celebrate u all hw can Stoke cause diplopia? How can it be look in to? Please waiting for answer.
thank you
thumbs UP
Very easily explained even a layman can understand
Very good example used,to understand.
so is there an increase in IOP in open angle glaucoma? from what i read they both have an increase. so what about the pressures that differentiate them so distinctively?
Next question: Is Beta Blocker the first line treatment for open angle glaucoma?
Roxie:
1. Yes, there is generally an increase in eye pressure for ALL types of glaucoma. People in acute glaucoma often present with eye pressures of 40-70 (i.e. dangerously high) and have severe eye pain because of this. Open-angle glaucoma pressures are usually in the 20-35 range and asymptomatic.
2. Beta-blockers are a fine first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma. Many eye doctors, like myself, start with prostaglandins (latanaprost) as our first line agent given how effective they are and the minimal systemic side-effects.
That really helps a great deal. Thank you.
I am repeating the compliments of previous responders, the analogy given is excellent and easy to understand, I am happy no medical jargon used to confuse the patient. The MD who ansered the question and practices in Houston I will go to him for eye check up.
Great analogy. I worked for many years in the hospital doing laser procedures, like iridotomies and trabeculoplasties.
This is a great explanation. Wish I could have explained it to the patients like that.
EXCELLENT……..
Great analogy ,,, makes it extremely to understand… Thanks so very much!!
thanks for the simple explanation.
Thanks alot, it makes it more simple to understand.
I finally understand thanks to this excellent explanation!
With Appreciation!
best way of explanation
I just had the iridotomy done on my right eye! It was not painful at all. Going for check up tomorrow and then the doctor will do the left eye! I had no symptoms or pain in my eyes! I went for routine check up to my optometrist and she referred me to ophthalmologist! I am glad she did!
good
well explained,,,(y)
Thank you sir keep it up …
Love the analogy!!! 🙂
can you have both ?????? open and narrow angle closeure ????
Thank you that is clear explanation.
How is open angle treated differently than closed angle?
And could open angle turn into closed angle?
Thank you
how can epinephrine affect glaucoma??? nice explanation
thanks well explanained
Thanks for this wonderful explanation
THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION
Cute explanation