1. Eye Diseases and Conditions Slideshow Pictures
2. Pink Eye Slideshow Pictures
3. Laser Eye Surgery Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

There is no curative medical treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma. An ophthalmologist must treat angle-closure glaucoma with either laser therapy or incisional surgical therapy (see Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Surgical Treatment). The use of eyedrops, oral medications (osmotic agents such as glycerol or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as Diamox [acetazolamide]), or intravenous medication (mannitol, an osmotic drug) are temporizing measures designed to bring the pressure down prior to surgical therapy.

Medicines that are used for acute angle-closure glaucoma prepare one to undergo either a laser iridotomy or a surgical iridotomy. They come in the form of medicated eyedrops (see How to Instill Your Eyedrops).

Prior to surgery, the ophthalmologist prescribes medicines to reduce the pressure inside the eye and to clear up the cloudiness of the cornea that occurs during an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma.

In acute angle-closure glaucoma, several drugs are used simultaneously to accelerate and maximize their pressure-lowering effects. The drugs lower IOP by increasing the outflow of the fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye or by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye.

Must Read Articles Related to Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Adult Glaucoma Suspect Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss. Not all 3 criteria (that is, high pressur...learn more >>

Glaucoma FAQs Glaucoma is usually high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve and can result in permanent vision loss.learn more >>

Glaucoma Overview Glaucoma refers to certain eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and cause vision loss. Most, but not all, of these diseases typically produce elevated press...learn more >>

See the Entire Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Topic Guide »