Angle-closure glaucoma occurs because of an excessive area of iris apposition to the lens, which impedes the flow of aqueous from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber and thus to the trabecular meshwork. This is called relative pupillary block. The iris bows forward because of the higher pressure in the posterior chamber. The iris occludes the anterior chamber angle, aqueous does not reach the trabecular meshwork, the IOP rises, and the eye becomes inflamed.