H40.0-6/H40.8-9
DESCRIPTION
Acute closed angle glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve caused by raised intra-ocular pressure. This may result in loss of vision usually in one eye.
Clinical features:
- pupil is moderately dilated and may be oval in shape
- corneal haziness
- pericorneal conjunctival inflammation
- sudden onset of extremely severe, bursting pain and eye redness
- a unilateral, temporal headache, after being exposed to a period of darkness, e.g. in a cinema
- coloured haloes around lights (bright rings)
- eye feels hard, compared to the other eye, when measured with finger palpation (this is not an accurate test)
- severe pain in eye (acute)
- nausea and vomiting in severe cases
Note: The more common chronic open angle glaucoma is usually without symptoms.
Emergency medicine treatment before referral (Doctor prescribed)
- Acetazolamide, oral, 500 mg, immediately, followed by 250 mg 6 hourly until referred.
REFERRAL
Urgent
All patients to an ophthalmologist within 12 hours.