Closed–angle glaucoma occurs much more quickly. Its rapid onset often causes symptoms such as pain, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea, and a red eye. The drainage system closes off, thus producing a rapid increase in eye pressure. Closed–angle glaucoma is an emergency eye condition that must be treated quickly or permanent vision loss can result within hours.

2 million Americans are visually impaired by glaucoma; 1 million more have the disease but don’t know it.

Those particularly at risk for closed-angle glaucoma are…

  • Asians
  • Far-sighted (hyperopic) patients

  • Patients with developing cataracts

  • Women