mechanisms
Last reviewed 01/2018
Three main factors are involved in the pathogenesis to angle closure glaucoma:
- shallow anterior chamber:
- the lens is positioned relatively anteriorly in the eye
- often associated with hypermetropia (longsightedness)
- lens growth:
- the lens thickens throughout life and so encroaches on the anterior chamber
- pupillary dilatation:
- pupil dilatation, whether physiological or pharma- cological may block the flow of aqueous humour
- the iris is then pushed anteriorly and comes to lie against the trabecular network
- aqueous reabsorption is impeded
- this process may result in acute increase in intra- ocular pressure