Question: What’s the difference between open and closed-angle glaucoma?

Answer: Open-angle glaucoma, also called chronic glaucoma, is what the majority of glaucoma patients suffer from. In this condition, aqueous fluid does not drain well out of the eye. One theory is that the trabecular meshwork filter may have microscopic particles clogging it and slowing down fluid movement.

Closed angle glaucoma, also called acute glaucoma, is an ophthalmologic emergency. This occurs when the iris bows forward and completely blocks fluid access to the trabecular meshwork entirely. The pressure builds up in a positive feedback loop, the patient has excruciating eye pain, and vision is lost quickly.

If you want to use an analogy, think of the eye as a kitchen sink. In chronic open-angle glaucoma, there is debris in the pipes (rust, food, hair) that slows down drainage of fluid. We treat this by giving medications that work like drain-o. With acute glaucoma, there is a rubber stopper floating around in the bottom of the sink that suddenly blocks the drain. Water quickly rises and overflows the sink. We treat this by punching a hole in the rubber stopper (a laser iridotomy).

SOORY, IT NEED FURTHER ELABORATINS THANK YOU. Comment by gashaw — September 13, 2009 @ 8:55 am Wow! Thanks! It really helps to start with a cool analogy like that before you start going over the “elaborations” in the text book. Thanks again! Comment by idrees — March 25, 2010 @ 3:05 am excellent explanation Comment by wizzle — April 2, 2010 @ 8:02 am the answer that i’m scarching for Comment by vaskar4u@gmail.com — June 30, 2010 @ 11:40 pm Short and sweet. Perfect with the help of analogy, sufficient for people who never studied on this field to understand Comment by Koei — July 14, 2010 @ 4:52 am Very nicely explained! Comment by Manjunath — October 12, 2010 @ 12:19 pm Thank you for this easy-to-understand explanation. I especially love the analogy. This is exactly what I need to under the very basic difference between the two. Thank you once again. rhan Comment by rhan — November 16, 2010 @ 7:45 pm the kitchen e.g is fantastic ….it make me easier to understand the difference.. thanks Comment by taimoor ali — December 8, 2010 @ 10:21 am kuul….Nice answer.. Comment by Mihi — March 23, 2011 @ 6:07 pm A+++++++++++ Comment by mahia — April 7, 2011 @ 5:54 pm love you all Comment by mahia — April 7, 2011 @ 5:55 pm this has helped me demystify the mystery that exists between these 2 entities - thank you so much - Comment by pinky — April 12, 2011 @ 2:30 am Cheers, great answer ! Comment by Tom — April 15, 2011 @ 9:30 pm Thank you very much for this simple but great information! I will always remember the difference now with that kitchen sink analogy! Thanks Comment by A stressed and confused medical student — June 4, 2011 @ 8:21 am excellent analogy of open and closed glaucoma. Comment by babes sicam — August 5, 2011 @ 11:34 pm Thank you very much for u r simple but poerful explanation. Comment by Vamsi — August 24, 2011 @ 12:48 pm its easy to understand with such daily life examples.. thanks! Comment by Dr. P — September 21, 2011 @ 11:32 am Thank you great explanation Comment by Sameh Bolos — November 6, 2011 @ 8:32 am Thanks for the wonderful explanation. 1. Does punctum have any role in glaucoma? Comment by Anant V. Lakhotia — November 18, 2011 @ 4:07 am Could someone tell me if/how there is a way to tell them apart on fundoscopy images? Comment by Anita Sholler — November 22, 2011 @ 5:54 pm excellent analogy Comment by Arshad — November 25, 2011 @ 7:34 am Leave a comment Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website