Angle-closure glaucoma results from blocked drainage canals. This condition can lead to a sudden rise in intraocular pressure. Left untreated, angle-closure glaucoma can damage nerve cells and result in permanent vision loss.

At Dr. Raul Peña’s Harlingen, TX, practice, we can diagnose the condition before performing glaucoma treatment. If you are not familiar with the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma, Dr. Peña offers this overview.

How Do I Know If I Have Angle-Closure Glaucoma?

The symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma are often noticed quickly, and the resulting pressure can lead to permanent damage to your eye. Although this form of glaucoma is fairly rare, patients should be aware of the symptoms so they can notify our Harlingen eye center immediately.

Common symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Obscured or hazy vision
• Headache
• Severe eye pain
• Vomiting or nausea resulting from eye pain
• Sudden impairment or loss of vision

While symptoms of the more common form of glaucoma (open-angle) set on slowly and may not be noticeable without an eye exam, angle-closure symptoms will be immediately apparent. Any change in vision perception should be taken seriously. If you notice any of these symptoms, call our Harlingen eye center at 956-661-8733 immediately.

Treatment Options

Your angle-closure symptoms will be treated as a medical emergency. Once you have arranged for someone to drop you off, Dr. Peña will work to quickly and accurately diagnose the cause of your eye discomfort or vision loss. Dr. Peña offers multiple glaucoma treatment options.

Glaucoma Surgery

The urgency of your angle-closure glaucoma may require prompt intervention to reduce intraocular pressure and restore eye health. Glaucoma surgery may involve laser treatments or filtering microsurgery. Your symptoms and the severity of your condition will determine which surgical options Dr. Peña chooses.

Laser surgery uses a beam of light to clear up and drain the eye’s natural drainage system (trabecular meshwork). Filtering microsurgery uses a small surgical tool to create a drainage hole for intraocular fluids. Following surgery, patients will begin to feel relief and restored vision.

Stent Placement

To prevent the return of angle-closure glaucoma symptoms, Dr. Peña may place the world’s smallest medical implant, the GLAUCKOS iStent®. The ultra-small device continuously relieves eye pressure.

Can Angle-closure Glaucoma Lead to Permanent Vision Loss?

Failure to seek prompt medical attention at our Harlingen eye center can result in serious complications, eye pain, and vision loss. The optic nerve at the back of the eye is prone to damage when the surrounding fluids place pressure on it. Damage to the optic nerve is irreversible because the nerve fibers are unable to regenerate once damaged.

Schedule Your Angle-closure Glaucoma Treatment Today

Prompt treatment of the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma can reduce pressure on your optic nerve and preserve your eyesight. Dr. Raul Peña is an experienced and respected medical doctor serving the Rio Grande Valley. He specializes in blade-free LASIK eye surgery and other refractive surgical procedures.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of angle-closure glaucoma, please contact our office online or call (956) 661-8733.