Do I have glaucoma if I have a closed angle?
NOV 08, 2022
Question:
Do I have glaucoma if I’ve been diagnosed with closed angle?
Answer:
Not necessarily. The drainage "angle" is the structure inside the front part of the eye where fluid inside the eye drains. If the angle is "open," it can be seen on exam, however, when it is more difficult to see the angle, we will say it is "narrow," and when we cannot see it, we say the angle is "closed" or completely blocked. This last situation—angle closure—will typically cause the eye pressure to increase to dangerously high levels that, in addition to being very painful, can cause damage to the optic nerve and vision loss (glaucoma).
I would review this information with your eye care provider to confirm your diagnosis. It may be that you have "narrow angles," which requires monitoring, but that you do not have optic nerve damage (glaucoma).