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Angle closure glaucoma

(Science: ophthalmology) primary glaucoma in which contact of the iris with the peripheral cornea excludes aqueous humor from the trabecular drainage meshwork causing a sudden blockage of the normal fluid circulation within the eyeball resulting in increased intraocular pressure. Increased pressure within the eyeball can cause damage to the optic nerve and blindness.

symptoms include severe eye or facial pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased vision, blurred vision and seeing halos around objects. The eye appears red with a steamy cornea and a fixed (nonreactive) dilated pupil. Treatment is emergent with medications to lower the pressure within the eye.

Synonym: acute glaucoma, closed-angle glaucoma, narrow-angle glaucoma.